Have you ever watched a horror movie and thought, “Why are they opening that door? Don’t they know what’s waiting for them?” Spoiler alert: they always open the door. And you know what? We’re not so different. Life throws us plenty of “doors” to open—new jobs, big moves, tough conversations, or even starting that side hustle you’ve been dreaming about. But instead of charging in like the brave (or reckless) actor in the movie, we often freeze. Why? Because fear is a master of disguise. It shows up as self-doubt, procrastination, or even the classic “I’ll do it tomorrow.” But wait: your goals are on the other side of that door. And you have to open it.
Table of Contents
Is it fear of failing?
Let’s get real for a second. Fear of failure is basically the Madonna of fears—it’s everywhere, it’s powerful, and it’s hard to ignore (Just like in her 1989 video when she changed Pop Culture worldwide forever by singing “Life is a mystery… everyone must stand alone” in such a powerful statement). But here’s the twist: failure isn’t the monster under the bed. It’s more like a really annoying teacher who gives you pop quizzes when you least expect it. Sure, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s also where the magic happens. Every mistake, every setback, every “I can’t believe I just did that” moment is a lesson learnt. So, what’s the worst that could happen? You fail? Cool. Now you know what not to do next time. After all, you’re still alive. Your dog still loves you. And pizza still exists. Perspective, people!.
The Cozy “Comfort Zone”
Ah, the comfort zone – which I often refer to as the fear zone –. It’s like a warm blanket on a rainy day—safe, cozy, and oh-so-tempting. Problem is… nothing grows there. You are six feet under. And your dreams? They’re outside, doing push-ups and waiting for you to catch up. Stepping out of your fear zone doesn’t mean you have to quit your job, move to a different country, or start skydiving (unless you want to). It can be as simple as speaking up in a meeting, pitching an idea, or finally hitting “send” on that email you’ve been overthinking. Small steps, big impact. You need to know what it is you really want and what you deeply wish for.
What If?
Fear loves to play the “what if” game. What if I’m not good enough? What if people laugh at me? What if I mess up and everyone thinks I’m a fraud? Sound familiar? Here’s how to beat it: play the game back. Switch it. What if you succeed? What if this is the best decision you’ve ever made? What if you inspire someone else to take the leap because they saw you do it? Fear thrives on uncertainty, but so does opportunity. The difference is, opportunity doesn’t paralyze you—it propels you. So, next time fear starts whispering “what if,” hit it with your own version. Coaching principles teach us to ask WHAT FOR instead of WHY. You can leave the self-doubting feelings aside for one second and ask yourself “what do I want this for?”. That helps see the light at the end of the tunnel. Trust me, I know it from my own experience.
A Liberating “Yet”
Here’s a little word that packs a big punch: yet. As in, “I’m not where I want to be… yet.” Or “I don’t know how to do this… yet.” Adding “yet” to your vocabulary is like giving yourself permission to grow. It’s a reminder that you’re a work in progress, and that’s okay. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your dream career, relationship, or life. So, cut yourself some slack. You’re not failing—you’re learning. And that’s a win in my book. I hope I never run out of goals I haven’t achieved YET that I’m working towards doing so.
Just Do It!
At the end of the day, fear isn’t the enemy. It’s just a sign that you’re about to do something important. Something that matters. Something that scares you because it has the power to change your life. So, feel the fear. Acknowledge it. Thank it for trying to protect you. And then… do it anyway. Open the door. Take the leap. Send the email. Because getting those results you wished for? They’re worth the scary bits. And so are you. If you need a coach, counselor, or mentor to guide you in the right direction, you are more than welcome here.
For more self-discovery click here,
