This contributor post was written by Tiffany Moore.
We all have dreams. We all have lives that we want. We all have these thoughts and whispers, “What if…”
“If only…”
“I wish I could…”
So what if you could?
Often, it seems the only thing standing in our way is fear. I say only with a grain of salt because fear is big, huge, so while it’s just one thing, it can take years for us to get to a place where we are willing to take steps to move beyond it.
The sad truth is that there isn’t any way to actually take fear out of the equation of our lives. The big key is to learn to work with your fear or push it aside momentarily while you take the steps you need to take.
When you’re up to something big (like life-changing BIG) fear is there. It’s so present, and it’s not going anywhere. I always tell my clients that fear and doubt and wondering if you’ll succeed are really good signs, because it means that you’re shaking things up and getting uncomfortable.
Getting comfortable with discomfort is one of the first steps to not letting fear be a factor in making your decisions. Playing big means stepping beyond your normal and what you usually do. It means putting yourself out there in new and exciting ways. It means spending a LOT of time in the land of discomfort.
It’s so easy to look at other people and think they have it made in their creative careers, to think that the deck is stacked against you while your peers have had all the breaks. While this might be true, it’s also (I say much more!) true that we all struggle. We all get scared. We all doubt and worry and wonder.
And some of us do it anyway.
What would you do if fear wasn’t a factor? What would you put out into the world if you knew you couldn’t fail?
Leave your response in the comments below.
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*image via conilab: Do What You Love/Love What You Do
Tiffany Moore, co-founder of Teahouse Studio is a life and business coach. She helps creatives take their business (and LIVES) to the next level with her sparkly butt-kicking and thinks that everyone in the world is beautiful, including you.
16 comments | Click here to reply
Thanks for this post. I’ve been thinking about trying to change careers for months. I want to invest in my passions but it’s FEAR that always holds me back. I guess it’s like what you say thought, it’s a good sign! Thanks for the encouraging post.
Mrs Average BrideStepping Beyond your Fear Factor http://t.co/RjNQpCqk
Melinda Chadwick (@melchadwick8)Stepping Beyond your Fear Factor http://t.co/KqP38i25
Maria Rippetoe (@ClotheslineKids)This is such an inspiring post! I’m a graphic designer by trade and I’ve worked as an in-house designer for little over a year, but recently I’ve wanted to become more creative but my own fears have been holding me back. My ultimate dream is to work for myself from home being creative all day long. I’ve recently set up my own blog, but I’m holding myself so that I don’t fail…this post has spurred me on to do what I want, thanks! 🙂
AlexI am up to something BIG and FEAR is definitely there ~ yikes!!
Laura TreveyThis post could not have come at a better time for me! I was sitting in my car contemplating with going forward on a dream I have had for awhile. Fear was setting in and I wasn’t sure if i could jump in. I was checking my email on my phone and saw this in my feed reader…wow, what a sign! You have seriously inspired me to jump in and get wet…I know I would regret it if I didn’t. Thank You!
Moxie LisaAwesome – thank you! I’ll check those out and look forward to the podcast. 🙂
JonnaNo prob. I actually know Piper and she is a great person to talk to. Such a smart gal and very sweet too.
papernstitchI also have a podcast coming up next week on the blog that touches on wholesale/consignment, so that would be something to look out for. And you can always email me as well at brittni(at)papernstitch.com for consulting.
One more place to look would be http://retailrecipes.com/ (run by Grace Kang). I did a podcast with Grace (who also has a brick and mortar shop in NYC called Pink Olive in addition to the Retail Recipes site) a while back. Here’s the link to that too: http://www.papernstitchblog.com/2011/08/09/how-to-get-your-products-into-the-hands-of-retail-buyers/
Oh man, good break down of the differences between the two. This definitely helps! Thank you, Brittni. I think I’m going to do some research on how that works – creating partnerships/contracts with vendors (buying wholesale vs. consignment), start up costs, pricing, etc.
I followed Piper (http://onesydneyroad.com/blog/) of One Sydney Road when she was on MML (http://makeundermylife.com/pipers-dream-report-week-twenty-six-last-update/), so maybe I’d reach out to her for advice. Any other good sources? (no problem if not, didn’t mean to take up your time via comments! 😉
JonnaOf course Jonna! Definitely – starting with something on Etsy would be the easiest. And you are right – curating an online shop with other people’s work would be quite different than just selling your own work alongside vintage pieces. But I think it boils down to what you are most passionate about more so than what is easiest, right? So if you have a great eye for trends and enjoy the marketing side of things, a curated online shop might be the best fit. BUT if you like the “making” side of things, opening a shop with your own work might be a better fit. Just keep in mind that it will take more of your time if you are not only making the items for your shop, but also trying to spread the word and get people to talk about it. If you are curating other people’s work, it will free up time for promotion, etc. Make sense?
papernstitch-Brittni
Thanks for the response! I’ve been thinking the same thing! Easiest would be things I make and vintage finds on an Etsy, but I am also curious about curating my own online shop…those feel like two very different beasts to me, but I have interest in both really. Hmm. 🙂
JonnaHey Jonna. Why not start with an online store and then move into a b+ m if things are going well. It would be a great way to get your feet wet, get past your fear, and closer to your goal! Good luck with everything. And thanks for sharing your story.
papernstitch-Brittni
RT @papernstitch: are you stepping beyond your fear factor? http://t.co/3oZO01Em
arzu (@mycrochets)i spy a print by @ConiDellaVedova on @papernstitch today: http://t.co/fT0ifx9k #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo
Discover Paper (@discoverpaper)If I could shake the fear monger in my head I would move and open a combo online/brick & mortar shop full of paper lovelies, vintage finds, unique and hand made gift/home items. I LOVE giving gifts and having my own shop would let me live out that joy every day.
JonnaMy new post is up over at @papernstitch — Stepping Beyond Your Fear Factor http://t.co/dJKT8HI1
Tiffany Moore (@tiffanycmoore)