Four Steps to Fear Less and Achieve Success

Organized, persistent, goal-oriented–these are some of the character traits that can make someone successful. These attributes are also the bedrock of everything I have achieved personally and professionally. Despite this, I don’t take anything for granted, because I know how fragile success is—which is one of the primary reasons for fear.

I am no stranger to fear; it is something I have specialized in my whole life. I have had to confront fear of failure and rejection, and the belief that I just can’t do certain things. But at one point, I realized this fear could go two ways: Either I could let fear paralyze me, or I could push through it by taking one step at a time. In other words, I could transform my fear and become Fear.Less.

Fear.Less is my formula for describing the process of boldly overcoming your trepidation. This might be as simple as getting out of bed one foot at time when all you really want to do is hide under the covers all day. Or it can be going into work when you would rather turn around and run away. It’s these small steps—an incremental progress—that will ultimately help you overcome fear. As long as you are making progress every day—regardless of how small—you are moving forward and getting a little bit closer to your ultimate goal of succeeding.

Here are four critical steps to overcoming your fear and achieving success:

#1. Accept Failure as Part of Success

President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” There is deep wisdom in this quote. Fear is often much worse than the potential negative outcome that it generates. It is also a self-fulfilling prophecy; we fear we will fail, and we fail because we fear.

The truth is that failure shouldn’t paralyze you. Rather, failure should be perceived as an opportunity for growth. Why? Because creative failure often leads to even greater achievements down the road. Take for example, Uber whose founders started several unsuccessful ventures before striking gold on their ride-sharing platform. Or look at Steve Jobs who was fired from Apple before returning and building it into one of the world’s wealthiest and most revered brands.

Once we accept that failure is part of success, we gain a deeper perspective and appreciation of the process. Making mistakes is inevitable. But don’t let these mistakes hold you back. Pick yourself up off the ground and understand that success is a work in progress.

#2. Learn from Your Mistakes

One reason why failure is often instrumental to later success is that by failing, we learn what works and what doesn’t. Experience, whether good or bad, is the ultimate teacher.

If you are willing to reset and try again, no matter the initial outcome, you will be on the path to success. Remember, that by exhibiting this kind of resilience you are gaining vital life experience and feedback. You are also setting an example for others that setbacks don’t make you crumble, but instead, make you stronger.

#3. Transform Your Fear into Confidence

Hearing the word “no” is never easy. Some people can’t help but take every single rejection personally. But it is important to remember that people say “no” for a multitude of reasons, some of which may have little to do with you.

Ultimately, each “no” is merely part of a longer journey that ends with “yes.” One great example of this is J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter series. She received a ton of rejection letters before getting her first novel accepted by a publisher. Because she persisted and overcame the initial rejections, she became the remarkable success story she is today.

Keep in mind that every business has its own success formula and operates on its own timeline. So don’t feel you have to accomplish all of your objectives immediately.

Instead, remain steadfast in your vision and your goals. Be confident in who are and what you are doing despite any rejection or pitfalls. This confidence will be your armor on the path to prosperity.

#4. Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You

There are very few people who are immune to failure. The primary difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is perseverance and action. You must be able to transcend any doubts.

Remember, inertia may be the easier option, but it will not lead to success. It takes determination and intentional action to overcome fear. Don’t let it paralyze you or drown you in negativity. You can overcome fear by resolving to take one small step at a time.

The Bottom Line

If you don’t take the necessary steps to mitigate your fear, it will thwart all your efforts. Don’t let fear become an unsurmountable mountain. Instead, face it head on with concrete, doable actions. Brick by brick, step by step, you will be crushing your fear and achieving success.

To learn more about how to Fear.Less, join me at an exciting Breakthrough Marketing for Breakout Sales event hosted by Sharon Lechter in April.