Fear of Failure Remember This One Thing. - When I Grow Up

Fear of Failure Remember This One Thing. - When I Grow Up On Sunday, I ran my first half-marathon: the MORE/FITNESS/SHAPE  Womens Half in Central Park. Never in my life did I think I could run a half-marathon. My time was a bit longer than I wanted, but Im so proud of myself for hitting my overall goal of not walking during the race at all (a pee break water stops excluded). #womenruntheworld #fuckyoucancer A photo posted by Michelle Ward (@whenigrowupcoach) on Apr 19, 2015 at 11:09am PDT On Thursday night, I had an anxiety dream that involved not starting the race until 3:30pm, going off course multiple times, and pinning a hamburger to my shirt so I could eat it when I was done. I woke up Friday with a knot in my stomach that wouldnt go away, and it stayed with me during my very last training run that morning. As I finished my run and came home, I absentmindedly opened my Facebook app, as one does. The very first update was a memory a picture I was tagged in 3 years prior. It was me and my husband on my last day of schmemo.   I had an anxiety dream about the half-marathon on Sunday(!), woke up to Facebook kindly reminding me that I was tagged in this photo of my last round of schmemo 3 years ago today. While Im still nervous about the race, Im now reminded of my strength, how far Ive come, my reason for running. I want to be a healthy role model for my daughter to keep my body moving. I feel so grateful that I get to make this choice. #womenruntheworld #firsthalfmarathon #latergram A photo posted by Michelle Ward (@whenigrowupcoach) on Apr 17, 2015 at 1:42pm PDT It made me feel calm. Strong. Brave. Powerful. If I could get through schmemo, I could finish this freakin run. I still felt nervous, but no longer anxious. I felt ready. It reminded me of a realization I had when I was teaching my CreativeLive class and asked everyone to write down their proudest moments, and what they knew to be true. I heard tale after tale of triumph over adversity  and  strength in the face of trauma. Getting through to the other side of those moments is how we build trust. How we let go. How we initiate change and do the things we never dreamed wed be able to do. Whether its a race or a career change, think of how proud youll be when you cross that finish line, literally or figuratively. Think of how itd feel to start offering services that make you look around and exclaim, Is someone REALLY paying me to do this? Think of how itd feel to sell your first product and hand it to your customer or drop it lovingly in the mailbox. Think of how itd feel to walk in to a new office, take a seat at your new desk, meet your new colleagues and know that this is a positive environment and a meaningful position for you. I know you can feel the thrill, the excitement, the pride. I also know that another voice is coming through, saying, But what if you fail?! And all I have to say is this: The  only thing you can control is showing up. I showed up to my race well before Sunday, by starting a training program months prior and running up to 4 times a week in the bitter cold/snow/rain. I showed up to my business well before I was able to quit my day job, fitting my classes, clients and marketing efforts into  my nights, weekends, lunch breaks, and downtime at work. And if I failed? If I didnt cross the finish line? If my business brought in no clients? Id pick myself back up, make a new commitment, and keep on showing up. And you know what? As counterintuitive as that sounds, Id be stronger, wiser, and more trusting because of it. So, when you fear failure  and its stopping you from pursuing a new or old dream, just remember the worst that can happen is that youll have a newfound sense of pride probably a great story in trying, failing, and picking yourself back up. What will you commit to in your life and/or career right now? What can you start showing up for? Leave it in the comments, and remember to do your best to only focus on what you can control. SAVE THE DATE! The 3rd Annual Multi-Passionate Must-Haves Sale starts on May 12th runs for only 72 hours. Snag 25 products (a $1,712 value!) to rock your career for only $97. More details soon, but sign up here if ya want my reminders!