Conquer The Fear of Beginning

Starting anything worthwhile can be incredibly daunting, especially when you're not sure where to begin. I personally know the feeling of having a dream, but feeling completely overwhelmed by the blank canvas and endless possibilities. It's easy to fall into the trap of making excuses for why we haven't pursued our dreams.

When I reflect on the times I've had to start something new, whether it was a business venture, a course, or even a relationship, I've encountered misconceptions that have paralyzed me and prevented me from taking action. But once I was able to overcome those misconceptions, I was able to dive deep into the waters of action and start making progress towards my goals.

These are some of the misconceptions I had:

"I have to be talented to start"

It's amazing how many opportunities we can miss out on when we let the misconception of innate talent hold us back. I know I've certainly put things on hold in the past because I believed I wasn't talented or skillful enough to succeed. Looking at my peers who seemed to have a natural ability in areas like drawing, singing, or athletics only reinforced this belief. I believed that I needed to be born with those skills, and since I didn't have them, I shouldn't even bother trying.

But the truth is, natural talent is only part of the equation when it comes to success. Hard work, dedication, and practice are just as important, if not more so. It's easy to look at someone who is naturally gifted in a particular area and assume that they didn't have to work for their success. However, more often than not, those who appear naturally gifted have put in countless hours of practice and hard work behind the scenes.

I've learned that it's not about being the most talented or skilled, but about being willing to put in the effort to develop those skills. By embracing the mindset of growth and focusing on progress rather than perfection, I've been able to develop skills and abilities that I never thought possible. And by stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying new things, I've discovered passions and talents that I never even knew existed.

"I need to have ...... to start"

For those that know me personally, they'll understand that I love seeing the "Green Light" before I go after something. Unless I am 99.9% certain it will work out, I will let it be or wait until I have whatever it is that I think I need to succeed. But I've come to realize that this way of thinking can be a major hindrance when it comes to pursuing our dreams.

The belief that we need to have everything in place before we can start is a common misconception that can prevent us from taking action. It's easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the perfect conditions, the right tools, or the ideal mindset before we take that first step. Some people may not feel like a "real" writer or designer unless they have the latest MacBook, or they may believe that they can't be a photographer without the latest DSLR camera.

On the other hand, many people believe that they can't get started until they have a significant amount of money saved up. However, the truth is that money is not always necessary to get started in a creative pursuit.

In fact, many successful creatives I know and follow started with very little and had to make do with what they had. They used their ingenuity and resourcefulness to create something out of nothing, and often times, these limitations actually helped to fuel their creativity.

"What if they do not like me or my idea"

It's natural to want to be accepted and liked by those around us, and the idea of putting ourselves out there and potentially facing rejection can be intimidating.

In the course of doing this for over 5 years, I've learnt that creative expression is a deeply personal and subjective process. What one person loves, another may not enjoy as much. There will always be critics and naysayers, but it's important to focus on creating for yourself and for those who appreciate your work.

Another helpful approach is to reframe the fear of ridicule as an opportunity for growth. Instead of seeing criticism as a personal attack, try to view it as an opportunity to learn and improve your skills. By embracing feedback and using it to refine your work, you can become a stronger, more resilient creative.

Remember, there will always be a reason to wait, to put things off, or to second-guess ourselves. But by challenging these misconceptions and taking action despite our doubts and fears, we can unlock our full potential and achieve great things.