Do It Scared

1. Identify Your Fear Archetype to Overcome Obstacles

The seven fear patterns—seven distinct ways fear plays out in our lives, specifically in the way it impacts our willingness to step outside of our comfort zones to pursue a dream or opportunity.

Understanding your fear archetype is crucial for overcoming obstacles and pursuing your dreams. The seven fear archetypes are:

1. The Procrastinator: Fears making mistakes
2. The Rule Follower: Fears breaking rules or authority
3. The People Pleaser: Fears judgment and letting others down
4. The Outcast: Fears rejection and trusting others
5. The Self-Doubter: Fears not being capable or good enough
6. The Excuse Maker: Fears taking responsibility
7. The Pessimist: Fears adversity and pain

By identifying your dominant fear archetype, you can develop targeted strategies to overcome your specific fears and move forward. Each archetype has both positive and negative traits, and understanding these can help you leverage your strengths while addressing your weaknesses.

2. Set Stretch Goals to Ignite Motivation and Growth

We need big goals in our lives!

Stretch goals are essential for personal and professional growth. They provide:

• Motivation to push beyond your comfort zone
• A clear direction and purpose
• Excitement and energy to tackle challenges

To set effective stretch goals:

1. Allow yourself to dream big without self-editing
2. Narrow your focus to the most exciting and meaningful goals
3. Commit fully to your chosen goal, making it a top priority

Remember, the flutter in your stomach when thinking about your goal is a sign of good fear – the kind that propels you forward and helps you achieve great things.

3. Challenge Conventional Wisdom and Think for Yourself

Rules are for suckers.

Question authority and norms to forge your own path and make informed decisions. This involves:

• Developing healthy skepticism towards established rules and practices
• Using common sense and critical thinking to evaluate information
• Daring to think outside the box and challenge the status quo

By questioning authority and thinking for yourself, you can:

• Uncover innovative solutions to problems
• Avoid blindly following harmful or outdated practices
• Develop a stronger sense of personal identity and purpose

Remember, not all rules are bad, but it's essential to understand the reasoning behind them and be willing to challenge those that don't serve a valuable purpose.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Choices and Actions

The only thing you can control is you.

Embrace complete ownership of your life and decisions. This means:

• Refusing to play the victim card or blame others for your circumstances
• Recognizing that you have control over your responses, even in difficult situations
• Taking action to change your circumstances rather than waiting for rescue

Benefits of taking responsibility:

• Increased sense of personal power and control
• Greater resilience in the face of adversity
• Improved problem-solving skills and adaptability

By adopting an internal locus of control – believing that you are in charge of your life outcomes – you become more motivated, productive, and successful in achieving your goals.

5. Embrace Constructive Feedback and Accountability

Everyone needs accountability.

Seek honest feedback and create accountability systems to grow and improve. This involves:

• Building relationships based on trust and vulnerability
• Actively seeking out constructive criticism and different perspectives
• Creating or joining accountability groups or partnerships

Strategies for fostering accountability:

1. Find trustworthy accountability partners or mentors
2. Set clear goals and share them with your accountability network
3. Establish regular check-ins and progress reviews
4. Be open to tough conversations and push-back

Remember, embracing accountability requires courage and humility, but it's essential for personal and professional growth.

6. Reframe Mistakes as Valuable Learning Opportunities

There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Adopt a growth mindset by viewing failures and setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. This approach helps you:

• Overcome the fear of making mistakes
• Develop resilience and perseverance
• Gain valuable insights and experience

To reframe mistakes positively:

1. Analyze what went wrong and why
2. Identify lessons learned and areas for improvement
3. Apply these insights to future endeavors
4. Celebrate the courage it took to try something new

Remember, the pain of regret from not trying is often worse than the temporary discomfort of making a mistake.

7. Focus on Purpose Over Perfect Balance

We're not called to balance; we're called to purpose.

Prioritize purpose and impact over achieving perfect balance in all areas of life. This means:

• Recognizing that seasons of imbalance are normal and often necessary for growth
• Allowing yourself to become obsessed with meaningful goals
• Making intentional choices about where to focus your time and energy

Benefits of focusing on purpose:

• Greater sense of fulfillment and motivation
• Increased productivity and impact in areas that matter most
• Reduced guilt about not achieving perfect balance

Remember to communicate your priorities with loved ones and create systems to ensure you're still meeting essential responsibilities while pursuing your purpose.

8. Cultivate Grit and Persistence to Achieve Your Goals

Nothing in the world will ever take the place of persistence.

Develop unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. Grit involves:

• Passion for your objectives
• Perseverance in the face of challenges
• Willingness to work hard over extended periods

Strategies for building grit:

1. Set clear, meaningful long-term goals
2. Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps
3. Celebrate small wins along the way
4. Learn from setbacks and adjust your approach
5. Surround yourself with supportive, like-minded individuals

Remember, success often comes from consistent effort over time rather than innate talent or luck.

9. Create a Detailed Action Plan to Reach Your Targets

A goal without a plan is just a dream.

Develop a comprehensive roadmap to turn your big goals into reality. This involves:

• Breaking down large goals into smaller, actionable steps
• Creating timelines and deadlines for each milestone
• Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency

Key components of an effective action plan:

1. Yearly goals and objectives
2. Monthly targets and focus areas
3. Weekly priorities and task lists
4. Daily to-do items and schedules

Use time-blocking techniques to allocate specific periods for your most important tasks, and remember to build in buffer time for unexpected challenges or opportunities.

10. Surround Yourself with Supportive, Truth-Telling Allies

Everyone needs true accountability.

Build a network of allies who will support your growth and hold you accountable. This "Truth Club" should:

• Provide honest feedback and constructive criticism
• Encourage you to pursue your goals and dreams
• Challenge your limiting beliefs and push you out of your comfort zone

Steps to create your Truth Club:

1. Identify individuals who share your values and growth mindset
2. Foster deep, authentic relationships based on trust and vulnerability
3. Establish regular check-ins and communication channels
4. Be willing to give and receive honest feedback

Remember, the people you surround yourself with have a significant impact on your success and personal growth.

11. Avoid the Comparison Trap and Stay True to Your Path

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Focus on your unique journey rather than comparing yourself to others. This means:

• Defining success on your own terms
• Recognizing that everyone's path is different
• Celebrating your progress and achievements

Strategies to avoid the comparison trap:

1. Clarify your personal goals and values
2. Limit exposure to social media and other comparison triggers
3. Practice gratitude for what you have and how far you've come
4. Use others' success as inspiration rather than a source of envy

Remember, the only person you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday.

12. Eliminate Excuses and Push Through Challenges

I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an excuse.

Adopt a no-excuses mentality to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. This involves:

• Taking full responsibility for your circumstances and actions
• Refusing to let your background or past experiences limit your potential
• Pushing through discomfort and challenges to reach your objectives

Benefits of eliminating excuses:

• Increased resilience and problem-solving skills
• Greater sense of personal empowerment
• Improved ability to overcome obstacles and achieve goals

Remember, while you can't control everything that happens to you, you can always control your response and the effort you put into overcoming challenges.

Last updated: August 20, 2024