Welcome to The Rachel Kurzyp Show.

You’re listening to episode four.

“But I don’t feel ready…what if X happens…”

I hear this sentence a lot.

Especially from the students in my coaching program The Creative Freedom Method.

The reason why I decided to share this topic with you today is because my students are always shocked when I tell them that I experience the nauseating gut feeling regularly. Sometimes twice a week.

So don’t be fooled by my online presence or anyone else’s for that matter.

No one is immune.

I now view fear as a good thing because it tells me that I’m growing as a person and I’m about to do something big in my business and life.

I even wait for it and welcome it at a start of a new project.

I see it as sign I’m moving in the right direction or as an opportunity to review my strategies.

Fear is a useful human emotion.

It only becomes harmful when it keeps you stuck and prevents you from embracing opportunities that can have a positive impact on your life.

And I see my students and community getting stuck in the ‘I’m not ready cycle’ a lot.

They avoid replying to speaking opportunities.
They don’t hit publish on blog posts.
They keep editing their new freebie copy.
They delay the launch of their new offer.
They buy online courses they don’t need.

If this is you right now, I’m glad you’ve tuned in because I’m going to take you through a mindset exercise that I use and teach my clients that I think will help you work through this fear.

And even if you’re not stuck right now, keep listening and save this episode for later.

OK, here’s what I want you to do.
Get out a piece of paper and a pen.
Draw a line down the centre of the page so you end up with two columns.

In the left column I want you to write every positive thing that could happen if you started the new project, said yes to the opportunity, launched your new service. Or whatever you’re avoiding doing right now.

Here are some prompts to get you started.

What will you have?
What will you be able to do?
Who will you be?

Now in the right column I want you to write down every possible thing that could go wrong if you took action.

Some prompts to get you started.

What could you lose?
What goals or dreams will you have to put on hold?
What are you really afraid of?
Hint: it’s often not the thing you’re putting off. But something deeper and more personal.

Now I want you to walk away from the list and do something else for an hour or so like walk the dog or watch Netflix.

In most cases when you come back to the list and look at it objectively and logically you will see that you have so much more to gain than you have to lose.

And often the gains are tangible:

Like: get more clients
Make more money
Grow email list
Get book deal

While the potential losses are less so.

Might get laughed it
Might not make income goals
Might be told I’m not good enough

If after this exercise you’re still like no way can I do this. The potential risk feels too high.

I want you to get out another piece of paper and write down all the actions you can take to reduce this perceived risk.

For example, if you’re scared that no one will buy your new offer. Can you send it to a few of your peers and ask for their feedback? This will put your mind at ease that you haven’t forgotten anything important.

Or if you’re scared to say yes to a speaking opportunity because you might forget what to say on the spot, can you ask the event organisers to send you questions ahead of time so you can prepare your answers.

Of if you’re concerned about investing time, money and creativity into a project and it not paying off. Can you hire an expert to help you create a framework, provide advice, and avoid common mistakes?

Now you have your list of actions I want you to incorporate them into your plans or strategies to increase the success of your project or opportunity.

The examples I just shared are things I have done to overcome my fear and take action anyway.

Remember: You’re never going to be ‘ready’. Being ready is a mindset not a feeling.

Once you accept that self-doubt and wanting to stay in your comfort zone are normal human reactions.

It will be easier to move through this I’m not ready mindset.

Was this mindset exercise helpful?

Let me know by sending me a DM on Instagram, my handle is rachel_kurzyp. I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks so much for tuning into today’s episode.

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