I find I can push through the feeling by looking at the situation and answering logical questions that help me to see that my fear is irrational. When both of my feet are planted firmly on the sidewalk, I usually don’t fall over for no reason, right? So there is no reason to think I will topple over when I’m standing on a balcony 300 feet above that sidewalk.

Fear can keep us from doing many of the things in our life and business that we know we need to do or would truly enjoy. Where are you being held back by fear and limiting beliefs?

It could be you are not leading as confidently as you could. Perhaps you aren’t calling on high-end prospects, launching that new product or service, speaking more transparently with your spouse, or engaging in conversations with your teen.

If you are holding back, then you need to push through.

Ask yourself logical questions to determine if your fears are rational. Practice “Worst Case Thinking.”  Monitor your physical response to make sure you aren’t sabotaging your own efforts with low Emotional Intelligence.

This year I had the opportunity to go zip lining in South Africa with my family. I also did a ropes course in Canada with one of my sons. Both experiences were mentally challenging for me, but I was glad I didn’t let the fear hold me back.

Little victories like these can fuel confidence and improved results in other areas of your life and career.

What fears do you allow yourself to be victim of? Where are you holding back? Where do you need to push through in the year ahead?

One of our Executive Coaches by the name of Raymond Gleason asked, “Do we need to make incremental or radical changes in order for us to pull out of this?” It was a great question, and it helped to frame much of our conversation as we continued to work on our plan.

In the past two weeks, I have had conversations with two different business leaders from different industries who are asking themselves this same question, but in two unique ways.

One leader is asking if he needs to make incremental or radical changes to the way he leads and operates personally. The other leader is asking if incremental or radical changes are required within their leadership team.

There are times when incremental changes just will not get us to where we want to go. They may seem easier and safer than the radical, but they are not always better.

There are also times when a radical change might shake things up, but it could ultimately take you in the wrong direction. Fear can cause us to overcorrect when a moderate and incremental change would be perfectly sufficient.

When considering how to improve in your role or your business, you are wise to consider what types of changes are necessary.

Should they be incremental or radical?

When you feel unsure about next quarter, next week, or even tomorrow, fear can take over. It’s easy to lose sight of your larger plan when you feel like you’re scrambling. I’ve found, time and time again, that the best remedy for fear and uncertainly is a healthy dose of vision.

Whether you know it or not, your team is probably feeling the same uncertainty. Will my husband lose his job? How much of a loss will we take if we sell the house now? Can we still afford that vacation if I bring in less commissions?

The urgency of today pulls our eyes downward, and it’s more important than ever that we see there is something better ahead that’s worth fighting for. We all need to know that we’re a part of something bigger.

The 3-B Vision is the best tool I’ve found when coaching my clients on vision. Essentially, this tool helps you answer three questions:

1. To what will my team members BELONG?
2. If they invest their time and effort in this organization, who will they BECOME?
3. Together, what are we going to BUILD?

If you’ve created a vision already, it’s time to dust it off. Walking through this tool can help you see it with new eyes. If you’ve never created a vision before, then 3-B Vision is a great way to get started. I invite you to email us at info@buildingchampions.com to request a copy.

Make the time to lift your eyes up above the uncertainty of today. I know you will be refreshed by seeing the promise of what you belong to, who you can become, and what you are to build.

May this help you to see things more clearly,

Worst Case Thinking is a process that can aid those of you who find yourselves unable to take healthy risks. This simple thinking model can help you to overcome the negative emotions that are birthed in illogical fear.

Over the years, this type of fear has come up countless times in coaching sessions. I’ve seen Worst Case Thinking help many in their lives and careers to risk more, experience more, impact more and grow more. Here is how it works.

The next time you find yourself not wanting to speak up in a group, or enter into a conversation with your spouse or teenage daughter, ask yourself this question: If I do this, what is the worst case scenario?

Challenge yourself to answer the question as logically as you can. Then test your answer. Could that really happen? Is it likely? And if that does happen, what does it mean for you? What will you learn or experience as a result of taking that risk?

What I have found is that you may need to ask the question multiple times to get to the real worst case. Then once you are there, you can logically assess the probability of that outcome happening. Most of the time, you will realize that the likelihood of that worst case outcome is pretty minuscule.

Now, ask yourself one final question: If the worst case does in fact happen, can you deal with it? If you honestly can’t, then don’t take the risk. If you can, and the risk appears to be wise and worth taking, you are now armed with more courage because you know you are prepared for any outcome.

Practicing Worst Case Thinking increases your discernment and your courage, and I have found it to be very helpful in all aspects of business and life.

Try it. What’s the worst that can happen?