7 Powerful Ways to Overcome Fear and Build the Life You Really Want (#54)

Today, we’re tackling one of the biggest barriers to success for high-achieving women—fear. Whether you're still in your corporate job or you’ve recently taken the leap into entrepreneurship, fear is a powerful force that can hold you back. I’m breaking down 7 practical tips to help you overcome fear and step confidently into the life you deserve.

Fear isn’t just about the big moments, like leaving your six-figure career or starting a new business. It shows up in the everyday decisions we make (or don’t make). From being afraid to apply for a promotion to putting off a workout, fear plays a role. But it doesn’t have to.

Key Takeaways:

1. Most Fear Is Self-Generated: Fear often stems from our own minds—False Evidence Appearing Real. Once you can recognize self-generated fears, like the fear of going to the gym, you can start to take back control.
2. Embrace Fear and Move Through It: Fear isn’t something to avoid—successful people feel fear, but they push through it. By gradually exposing yourself to fearful situations, like attending networking events, you’ll find it gets easier over time.
3. Rename Fear to Excitement: Fear and excitement feel the same physiologically. By reframing your nervous energy into excitement (especially in situations like public speaking), you can change your mindset and manage your fear more effectively.
4. Name It, Claim It, Reframe It: Use this simple, three-step process to address your fears. Once you’ve named your fear and fully owned it, you can reframe it with a realistic perspective and plan your next move—whether that’s leaving your corporate job or starting a new venture.
5. Understand Fear of Success vs. Failure: Professional women often fear success more than failure. Self-sabotage can prevent you from moving forward, whether that looks like procrastination, overbooking, or stress-eating. Recognize your patterns and work to break them.
6. Fear Can Be Healthy: Fear is also a useful instinct that can guide you to make smarter decisions. Use it to assess risk before making big moves like starting a business or taking on a new project.
7. Fear Is Universal: Everyone experiences fear. The more you normalize it, the more manageable it becomes. Remember that even the most successful people have fears—what sets them apart is their ability to keep moving forward.