Feel the Fear—and Do It Anyway
Using Fear as a Signal For Growth
if you're scared to do it, it's probably exactly what you need to do.
Fear isn’t a sign that you should back off. It’s your body telling you that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone—and that’s where the growth happens.
So why do we let fear stop us?
How can we break through that resistance and start living the life we truly want?
(Listen to the Podcast Episode Here)
In life and business, there are moments when fear creeps in and clouds our judgment. Maybe it's hiring that new employee, launching that business idea, or taking a big risk that could either make or break your future. But here's the truth:
if you're scared to do it, it's probably exactly what you need to do.
Fear isn’t a sign that you should back off. It’s your body telling you that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone—and that’s where the growth happens. So why do we let fear stop us? How can we break through that resistance and start living the life we truly want?
The Power of Fear
There’s a universal truth: when you're scared to take action, that’s your sign to move forward. This is probably going to be applicable to just about all areas of life. When there's something you don't want to do, and you're scared to do it, that is the thing you need to do. We all know it, and we still avoid it.
Fear is often rooted in uncertainty.
We fear losing money, time, or opportunities, or even the possibility of failure itself. But more often than not, it’s the decisions we avoid that are the most critical. By pushing through fear, we unlock the potential for growth.
Facing the Fear Head-On
Back in 2015, Sean was running his insurance business single-handedly. He was handling sales, customer service, paperwork—everything. He was doing well financially, but the constant grind was wearing him out. He knew he had to hire help, but he was paralyzed by fear. What if hiring someone didn’t work out? What if he ended up losing money?
After reflecting, he realized that his fear of losing control and money was holding him back from the real growth he wanted to achieve. Taking the leap to hire new employees and delegate tasks wasn’t just a smart business move—it was the only way forward. As he put it, “By confronting the fear of losing money and letting go, I was able to work the business rather than just in it.”
Overcoming the Mindset Block
Fear, in many cases, is just a mindset block. It’s not about external obstacles—it’s about how you’re perceiving them. If you’re stuck in a scarcity mindset, where every decision feels like it could lead to disaster, you’ll never take the steps necessary to grow. Sean had to reframe his thinking from “I can’t afford to hire someone” to “I can’t afford NOT to hire someone.” This shift allowed him to take the plunge, hire his first employee, and ultimately free up his time to focus on bigger-picture goals.
If you're letting fear hold you back, ask yourself: what’s the worst-case scenario? Often, the reality is never as bad as our minds make it out to be. And even if things don’t go perfectly, the lessons you’ll learn will propel you forward.
Steps to Take Action Despite the Fear
So, how do you overcome fear in real-time? Here are actionable steps to help you get moving when the fear sets in:
Acknowledge the Fear
The first step is admitting you're scared. Don’t push it down or ignore it. Fear is real, but it’s not insurmountable.Break It Down
What exactly are you afraid of? Is it losing money? Failing? Not living up to expectations? Identify the root cause and separate it from the emotions surrounding it.Start Small
If the decision feels too big, break it down into smaller steps. Start by doing something that feels more manageable.Reframe Your Thinking
Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, think about what could go right.Seek Guidance
Find a mentor, coach, or trusted advisor to help you work through your fear. Having someone who has been through it can be incredibly reassuring. Learn about LU+L coaching here.
The Role of Mindset in Business
As Ewan discusses in the episode, the key to overcoming fear is mindset. Your thoughts dictate your actions, and your actions dictate your outcomes. If you focus on fear, you’ll stay stuck. But if you focus on growth and the possibilities that come from pushing past discomfort, you’ll start seeing real progress.
Changing your mindset from one of fear to one of opportunity is essential for long-term success. This shift allows you to see challenges not as roadblocks, but as stepping stones to something greater.
If You’re Scared, That’s Exactly What You Should Do
By the end of this episode, Sean and Ewan leave you with one undeniable truth: fear is not your enemy—inaction is. When you feel scared, it’s because you’re facing something important, something that could change your life or business for the better. So, instead of letting fear hold you back, lean into it.
““Fear is real, but not facing it is what keeps you stuck. The only way out is through.””
Final Thoughts
If you're scared to take the next step in your business, that's exactly the action you need to take. Fear is a sign that you're pushing past your comfort zone—and that's where the real growth happens. Remember, you don't have to do it alone. At Level Up + Live, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Learn about the LU+L Mastermind Group here.
If you're ready to take action, download our free Core Values guide to help clarify your vision and take that next big step with confidence.
Take the Next Step
Download our free Core Values guide to align your business with your true goals. Check out our other posts on guidance and overcoming blind spots for more essential tips on your journey to success.
You don’t have to do it alone. Join our LU+L mastermind group for the support and accountability you need to create a business that works for you.
👇TUNE INTO OUR LEVEL UP AND LIVE PODCAST EPISODE ALL about Feeling the Fear. . . and Doing it Anyway.
In the journey of building a business, there comes a time—if not many times—when you face that next big decision. Big decisions bring all kinds of emotions, and if you talk to 100 entrepreneurs, every one of them will tell you they’ve felt the fear of taking that step. Fear of losing money, losing time, missing out on opportunities, or, worst of all, the fear that it might cost them their entire business. This kind of fear can be paralyzing, often leading to inaction when the step forward is crucial to reaching the next level.
You'll Learn:
🔸Fear is a Signal: What scares you is often what you need to tackle. Acting despite fear is crucial for growth.
🔸Mindset Shift: Move from a scarcity to an abundance mindset. Fear can paralyze, but a shift in perspective unlocks potential.
🔸Small Steps, Big Wins: Start small. Each brave step adds up to major progress in business and life.
