This week’s question from our portal “Ask Us Anything” comes from Julie.
I’m starting to understand that I need to change my self-image to change my results. But I’m scared. What if I change, and I lose everything? What if people don’t like the new me? What if I fail at this new level? How do I deal with that fear?
The fear is normal. Everyone who’s ever grown has felt that exact same fear.
But here’s what you need to understand: you’re not going to lose everything. That’s your subconscious trying to keep you safe by scaring you into staying where you are.
Think about it logically. What are you actually afraid of losing? Your current results? The results you don’t like? The income level you’re trying to get away from? The relationships that don’t support you?
Most of what you’re afraid of losing is exactly what you’re trying to change.
And the fear that people won’t like the new you? The people who matter will love the new you. The people who don’t like it weren’t really for you anyway.
Here’s the truth: every level requires a new you. You cannot take your current self-image to the next level. It doesn’t work that way.
So yes, you’re going to change. Yes, some things will fall away. Yes, some people will be uncomfortable with it.
But what you gain is so much greater than what you lose. You gain yourself. You gain your potential. You gain the life you actually want instead of the life you settled for.
And as for the fear of failing at the new level? Failure is just feedback. It’s information about what to adjust.
The only real failure is staying where you are because you’re too afraid to try.
Feel the fear and do it anyway. That’s the only way through. The fear doesn’t go away until you prove to yourself that you can handle what’s on the other side.