When we first begin working toward a change, we are usually really excited, full of energy and focused!  We see the value and can imagine our new self reaching our goal and taste the glory of getting great results.  So, what stops so many of us from carrying through on our intentions?  Fear.  And, if that fear is stronger than our desire to make the change, and it often is,  we get stuck.  Let me give you a personal example.  When I was developing a new coaching program I planned to launch, I found myself really excited.  I could just imagine being on a group coaching call with people who wanted to make changes and were ready to dive in.  I got so excited imagining myself guiding and supporting them through this process.  I could imagine their participation and how inspired they would feel.   When it came time to market the program, I found myself being distracted.  Anything and everything that crossed my desk got my attention.  I felt overwhelmed by the technology I thought I needed to understand and put in place in order to launch the program.  I got a major case of writer’s block and couldn’t write a blog post or a even a tweet.  My stomach felt tight, I felt really, really stuck.  And then, I asked myself a question I often ask my clients, “What are you afraid of?”  And, I got answers:  I’m afraid no one will register, I’m afraid it isn’t good enough, I’m afraid I’ll screw it up.  I”m afraid the materials won’t look professional, and on and on.  And then I called a friend.  (Remember, a friend in this case is someone you can call to get coached forward, not someone who will hop on your band wagon and join you in your pity party.)  And, here’s what my friend said:  “What ‘s the worst thing that would happen if  no one registered?”  “Would you die?”  “Have you helped other people successfully in the past?”  “What will happen if everything isn’t absolutely perfect?”  “Have you ever been in a program where the facilitator made mistakes?  And what did you think?”  And the best one of all, “What will happen if you stay stuck?” 

Of course, the answer to the latter made me laugh… if I didn’t do anything, I could be absolutely, positively assured that no one would register because there wouldn’t be anything for them to register for!!  If I went for it and it didn’t go exactly as I’d like it to,  I knew it would still be tremendously valuable because I wouldn’t stop until I’d delivered the value I’d promised.  Then I’d use what I learned from the experience to keep moving forward.   I’m not perfect and no one (except me) expects me to be so, I gave it my best, and well, let’s just say, I needn’t have worried… but we do and…I’ll probably feel some fear the next time I try something new but, hopefully, it won’t last as long, be as deep and I’ll prove to myself once again, that I had nothing to fear in the end.