Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

The phrase is the title of the first book by author Susan Jeffers.

Sometimes, the most productive way forward is also the most fearful. For example, you realise it is critical to stop a project that is going badly, even if few are willing to acknowledge it. And that might involve speaking to a very senior person in the organisation to say, ‘We need you to remove a blocker, and only you have the authority to do it.’ Or it might mean that you must present to the whole division, so everyone clearly and succinctly understands what is going on.

As you pursue the productive path, recognise that you will often feel fear. This is not a sign that something is wrong; often the feeling shows that you are engaging with something that matters. Fear highlights that you are in unfamiliar and risky territory; you might fail but fear is certainly not saying, ‘don’t do it.’ Do not wait to feel fully confident; confidence comes from action. You do not feel brave and then act; you act despite fear and then feel brave.

As I say in my presentation skills course, let’s simply accept that you feel anxious before your talk to the board. But with planning and preparation, it will go well and afterwards you will feel amazing.