What Are Your Fears?

 I appreciated reflecting on the fears I have of beginning a business. I feel that when we acknowledge our fears about anything, we are most likely to be successful than if those fears are buried. These reflection questions really helped me as I thought about my own fears:

    1. If you pursue your calling with discipline, intentionality, and the help of fellow travelers, what are the chances that your worst case scenario will really happen?

        • With the help of others who have begun their own businesses, I think the venture will be successful. I think that my best mentors will be those people who have been successful at starting and running a business, no matter the arena it is in. They will be as valuable to me as what I learn in school as I pursue my degree.

    2. As you look at your list of fears, what themes emerge? What is at the core of what you really fear? Financial ruin? The judgment or disapproval of others? Physical harm? Endangering the ones you love? Embarrassment?

        • As I look at my fears, the central theme is fear of failing and how that will affect me financially. I think I would get over feeling sad and knowing that other people know that the business didn’t make it, however, it would be a long road financially to repay business loans that will most likely need to be taken. My fear of debt is real.

    3. What is the risk of taking no action – not following your calling? How do you plan to deal with fear when it pops up on your entrepreneurial journey?

        • Without pursuing the dreams I have and facing the fear of failing, that fear will always have power over me. Anytime I think of doing something new, I get anxious and worry about failing and how that will affect me financially, physically, and emotionally. Prayer definitely helps me to feel calm whenever I feel fear creeping into any aspect of my life.

As I read Elder Wirthlin's talk "Little Things are Important," I reflected on his advice to make sure that the little things in our personal lives are in order, like our health and mental well being. Sometimes I forget how important it is to take care of these small things until I get sick and then they are big things.

I also appreciate his question, "Do you take time to remember the simple things in relationships?" I am making more of an effort to not only smile, give compliments and encouragement, and be positive but also to recognize these efforts shown to me by others. Elder Wirthlin said we should do these things without hesitation.

Sharon Mays advice to use your path to make you stronger really resonated with me. As I look around the world today, so many people are trying to make excuses for the things they do rather than taking accountability and becoming stronger because of their backgrounds. I also appreciated her advice to believe and trust in yourself. Sometimes this is easier said than done but definitely something I am striving towards. Other advice that greatly had an impact on me is:

    - Either do it or stop talking about it

    - Make the world a better place

    - Find your dream and give it life

    - The only person who holds you back is you

I have reflected on each of these statements many times this week and have pondered the question, Where am I along this journey? Am I holding myself back? How many times do I talk about something but never do anything about it?