What’s the worst that could happen?
I know you’ve thought about it.
Your mind reals and spins. More emotion than definition is whirling.
But have you dared to answer the question? To really go there.
Like a child afraid of the dark, paranoid about what’s behind the closet door, what’s lurking under the bed. Once the light switch is flipped, shedding light on shadows that no longer exist, the door flung open to everyday clothes hanging, and little fingers that only find dust bunnies hiding under the bed, the fear seems silly.
Those childish feelings thrive in the dark. And don’t go away, but are only replaced with different names.
- The fear of not selling your book.
- Concern for the lack of online engagement.
- Worried that no one will like your creation, much less buy it.
- Scared of failure, loss of money/time/relationship, and {lets not forget} embarrassment.
How do you scare off this ugly boogie man? Look him straight in the eye.
To do that, you have to get close enough to see him. Really see him. Name him. Find out what he’s really made of. Find out how small he really is.
I know you’re avoiding this. The avoiding just causes more fear.
I challenge you to go there. Throw the covers back and sit up in the dark. Think through what is THE WORST that could happen. I don’t mean that your book doesn’t become a New York Times Bestseller.
I’m talking about when the publisher doesn’t even sell a copy to your mom. No one buys it. You’re mortified. You’re never published again. What happens then?
Is that even realistic? Fears usually aren’t.
Whatever you’re avoiding, the fear that keeps circling, stifling your vision, creativity, and future. Face it. Find out that it’s so small and somewhat silly.
Plan so it doesn’t happen. Realize your worst fear of absolute failure is not going to happen.
You’ll find out what success really is. . . to you. How you define failure will help you define success.
