Sometimes Fear Motivates

Fear is a natural response most people experience when embarking into something new - going into the unknown. It is the number one cause of procrastination. Fear can be paralyzing, or can be the driving force motivating you to keep going.

It has been the latter for me for the last few months. Yes, I gave up my job where I was doing very well, building a reputation for excellence and developing myself personally. But I decided to follow my bliss even though I didn’t know what challenges would face me.

I kept putting it off because I was afraid of failing. I was waiting until ‘all my ducks were in a row’, but sometimes this never comes....

An ancient Chinese saying is “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best is today”.

So, I started my own trampoline club in September at a rented venue where I had previously coached – Samuel Montagu Youth Club - who have been very supportive of my endeavours. I am not saying that it has been easy – it hasn’t and we are still having to face some challenges (mostly financial), but I have to admit that I have never felt so alive, so excited about getting up and going to work, so motivated. Financially, unfortunately, some would say, not a very wise move. But, in terms of the relationship and quality time that I am spending with my daughter, it is all worthwhile. I am self-employed, working with my youngest daughter, also a trampoline coach, and we are having a great time!

I have spent the last couple of months working really hard – networking, improving my skills, building the website, marketing as well as coaching. I’ve met some really great people and I am making a difference! The change has really been worthwhile.

Fear can propel you into action – ask yourself, what can I learn if I try and don't get the result I want? How will this make me stronger and wiser and better equipped to try again?

Here are some tips that might help you pursue a project/career/task that you may be fearful of starting or continuing:

· Make a List. Simply, write things down that need to be done. There can be a great sense of satisfaction of actually ticking things off √

· Stay focussed. Try to focus on one thing intensely, instead of multi- tasking. Stay in the now. Practice focusing your attention on the present moment and complete the task in hand

· Give yourself a meaningful purpose. Find something that you are passionate about and pursue it. It’s easier to stay focused if you feel the work you’re doing is meaningful and your motivation will naturally increase.

· Visualise what you want to achieve. If you don’t really know exactly how you want your day to go, how can you expect it to go the way you want it to? In order to combat random events and unknowns keeping you from doing what’s important, take time to visualize how you want your day to go. Pay attention when you visualize certain things to how they make you feel. Use positive visualization to control how you will react when certain events come up that detract you from keeping focused.

Stop procrastinating: check out "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway" by Susan Jeffers

Things are going well for the trampoline club – we are applying for national accreditation (Gym Mark) and are embarking on a couple of new and exciting projects in the New ‘year. For more details check out our website: www.greenwichbouncers.co.uk and read my blog there too.

I love this time of year because of the opportunity to start afresh, do something different – life is full of possibilities.... I wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!