February 27, 2006
Think Quick:What is Your Greatest Fear?
About seven years ago when I was in high school, a close friend asked me, "Why do you go after so many pursuits? Do you think it is based on an insecurity?" I remember being very offended, but I coolly responded that I just enjoyed doing big things.
Two years ago, another friend asked me, "What is your deepest fear?" For some reason, I decided to ignore my internal censors and respond with my first thought. To my surprise, the thought was, "Being insignificant."
Although both of these were short moments in a life of many moments, they've stuck with me because they've rung true at a deep level. Still, I kept in my old habits of thinking, even though I knew at some level, they weren't what I really wanted.
Now, for the first time, for reasons I don't fully understand, the body has begun to start to let go of this fear. As a result, I can actually picture a life where I'm happy despite not being the biggest this or the most well-known that. This is a first for me, and quite frankly it feels like an incredible weight has been lifted. Some of the symptoms of the fear were:
- Always being 'busy' and feeling guilty if I wasn't doing something, even if what I was doing was unproductive.
- Being jealous of people who had big accomplishments.
- Being stressed that I was 'behind' where I should be.
- Defining myself by the things I was going to achieve in the future.
Perhaps, the questions my friends asked may ring a bell with you too:
- Why do you go after so many pursuits?
- Do you think it is based on an insecurity?
- What is your greatest fear? (what comes to your mind first?)
Posted at February 27, 2006 09:36 PM
I do not think that your symptoms of the fear were bad. They were your motivation to accomplish something great. And since you seem to be pretty successful now, your brains says that can let go of them.
I can definitely relate to your post. I was never fully happy in life until I started my own business, let go of my fears, and just went at it full force.
I recently started a business blog focused solely on student entrepreneurs: www.cashcampus.com/ftt
I hope to help other students start their own business and not be scared to do so.
David Askaripour
www.cashcampus.com
Great post. I just found your blog the other day and I'll be sure to check back often.
It's tough as an entrepreneur - you need to be extremely focused and make large sacrifices, but at the same time keep a perspective of what's truly important in life and why you are doing what you do.
Being a business owner, I am constantly contemplating what I am doing and why. I think that it's the only way to keep perspective.
You recently left a comment on my site, so you may have read my post:
http://www.eliotwasmund.com/archives/28
Where I talk of this feeling I've had of "Falling Behind." It wasn't a huge feeling, but just a little something way in the back of my mind. Surprisingly, it didn't creep up until I had plans and knew where I was going in life. This makes me think that it is somewhat of a "stage" that achievers go through.
I think you're right though. You must not define yourself by things you are to achieve in the future but rather, define yourself by who you are. This way, you can be true to yourself and take the appropriate steps in life to fulfill who you are rather than attempting to fulfill the definition that you have created of yourself in the future.
This calls for a blog!
Yes,
Your diagnosis is correct - you are a serial entrepreneur and unfortunately there is no cure. The upside is that every time you hear about a new idea, the adrenalin rushes through your body and makes you feel alive. Good luck on your next venture.
Regards
Black
LeverageYourEffort.com
I live at 85507 Commonwealth in Seattle. Been up here before?
