Fear and Faith
Let’s face it, the business can be scary when you first start. And sometimes after you’ve been in a while. So how do you get over fear to achieve your dreams?
Two things help for me…
First is self-development time. If I read a positive book or listen to an empowering CD, I’m vibrating at a much higher level of consciousness. It gives me more confidence, better posture and quiets the fear.
You will find that when you do daily self-development, you dramatically improve your productivity and activity. You are not the same person after listening 30 minutes to a Jim Rohn CD, or reading “Think and Grow Rich” or “The Magic of Thinking Big.” There is a different look in your eye, a different quality in your voice, a difference in your entire bearing.
The second thing is action. I find that getting into action always kills the fear. Because the fear is almost never real and action always negates it anyway.
So feeling scared? Play a CD for 30 minutes and quick pick up the phone and call your prospect. Play a CD on your way to a presentation. Got any other things you do? Please share them below.
Fear and faith cannot co-exist. When you feel fear, profess faith.
-RG
P.S. There is a great resource on this for your library. It’s a book by Lisa Jimenez called “Conquer Fear.” Find it here.
Yes the daily dose of self-development is HUGE in building your faith and confidence.
I have found that to some degree knowledge helps me. Knowledge about my products or company – I don’t mean a ton of scientific or detailed stuff – but just a good dose of information about my products and company help me to feel more confident. And I know, direct them to 3rd party tools, which I do – but I also like to show some intelligence about what I am doing myself.
Besides, I think when you really believe in your products/service and company you will educate yourself about them.
But with self-development I do feel so much better and I walk a bit taller too!
I agree 100% percent with you Randy, I feel self development like breathing, it should be taught at schools. I have done that for some months already and I feel the difference in the way I talk, my posture and even the way I feel when I’m rejected. It’s not like I don’t care, I just try to keep focus on what I want rather than feeling victimized due to the rejection…
Some months ago I would have a very hard time every time someone said boo to me, lol (I can laugh now, hehe). I know self development is a lifetime task and I’m very happy with it. The one I still struggle a bit (a big bit, actually ;D) is to take action, I do it but sometimes get a lost or find myself finding excuses to avoid making the call so what I do, a bigger dose of self development and the next time it goes better!
That is so true, when you read or listen to empowerment regarding our profession your posture and confidence is charged. I take a deep breath and forge ahead.
Hi Randy,
Great post for this time of year. The idea of fear and faith was a topic that I was leading on a team Master Mind call last Sunday night. It is something that I have always been very interested in we regards to human behavior.
Here are a couple of my thoughts about it….
Most of our fear is based on past experience and our projection and expectation of that to occur in the future which in most cases does not occur (but be careful what you wish for…)
Faith through strong believe and determined action can overcome any fear we have before us.
I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Jimenez at a company event in Toronto last summer along with Art Jonak. She spent an hour and 1/2 with us speaking and walking us through some amazing training on conquering fear. Her book is a must for everyones personal development library.
For me there are 3 ways that I overcome fear.
1. I put myself in situations where I have no choice but to face the fear.
2. Daily personal development time
3. Specific goals and why I am doing what I am doing reviewed on a regular basis.
One last thing about fear…
Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. No one was there.
May we all go forward in conquering fear because on the other side of it is our prosperity and success.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
Great advice! Your blog post is kind of like my mantra, “Choose faith, not fear!”
Thanks for your great perspectives as always.
I have been reading your blog for quite a while and realise that you provide pretty good perspective to help individuals grow in their business.
I strongly agree that personal development forms a big equation to our progress in network marketing. And it really sets us in the right direction towards achieving our dreams and goals, especially when one is feeling down or pessimistic.
One of the way that I constantly advocate in my team is to look onto their dreamlist and vision board. It helps to build faith and conquer fear too. =)
Randy, I love this actually when I’m phone prospecting I like to listen to Van Halen in the background and I stand up when I’m calling it makes me smile it gets my blood going and I am operatiing at a much higher level of vibration why? because I love Van Halen and I really do like connecting with my prospects
Thanks for the reminder, Mr Gage! Personal development and taking action.
I’m not so sure about fear and faith – a lot of times, faith is predicated upon some form of fear. But the good books says, perfect love casts out fear. For some, the love is focussed on their family, for others it’s on a bentley continental GT black on black with seat leathers made from mountain goats bred in kathmandu.
Keep rocking, bro. Peace. :o)
Dear Randy,
Well, fear is always when we start doing something new. I agree and it is not pleasant feeling.
I admit that before some of my presentation I have been even sick (in my job), but I am always trying to think what one of our famous actors said – this is not about life and death, so it will go on and end, one way or the other way.
Usually it went well, so of course it helps next similar situation. And I am trying all the time new things.
I decided that I will learn (I am 38) how to make a pirouette and on jump on skate. I have been scared to fall on ice and hurt myself, but I started to practice and guess what. After some time, I am already able to make some round on one leg and I am able to jump a bit. Of course it is not perfect and I am working on it, but the feeling that I can improve is great.
Hi everyone!
Even after a good few years in the busines I still feel nervous about some situations. Mainly wondering how people will react to some thing that is new to them.
I read part of a book some years ago that explained it is normal to be nervous but we should not let that feeling take over. So in a nutshell, its OK to be nervous talking to people about the business, so I just do it anyway!
This business is great for self developement, just ask someone to help you with the first step.
Mike
thank you randy for reminding me this. This is the perfect moment of my life where i need to restart daily personal development and taking action.
I come over some of my fear by going to some Network meetings now and then and just tell myself: I don’t have to do anything, just talk to people and ask them questions and socialize. Then I appears to be not scary at all, when you can relax and just be your (lovely) self (is good enough!). Only when people seem interested in what I do, I give them my business card.
Thanks, Randy, till next time. (or till Febr. 12th Going Diamond in San Francisco)
Regards
Stella
I honestly don’t know how people get through life without reading and listening to PD every day. Imagine a life with just Big Brother filling the space between your ears!
Many thanks Randy it is right what you said about self-development!!!. For my example I always read much and I can say it’s the thing most important we can do because with lecture of developpement we are never alone!!! An other thing I’ve to say “in honor of my father who said me” is this: if you decid to do a thing, never stop it and go on always looking higher and higher. Nice day to everybody.
Fear can lead to ansiety if your don’t face it, because there are two diferent and oposite emotions here: fear and willing to action.
If you let yourself be controlled by fear, anxiety will be the next emotion, because, the willing for action will always be there, wether you action or not.
So, if you feel fear, you have to choose among two optios: give up or take action.
Otherwise, after anxiety it will be… depression… prozac… see the picture?
You better try, fail, learn and do it again, but at least have the consciousness that you tried, wereas if you just don’t do nothing, you will be in a dead end.
Love you all
Alfredo Rodrigues
That’s really great to common it this way!
Thanks!
I saw it first on myself : No matter how I’m scared when I go out and talk and make nomatter what kind of action I feeeeeeel gooooooood :))) and the fear is no more fear at all.
Thank you for the article…
I use this reverse engineering to face my fears:
I am able to perform such behaviour in such environment
I can do it because skills I have
I dveloped such skills because of values and beliefs I represent
Such values are related to my integrity
If there is a fear I am looking at which level problem could had appeard. Usually it is lack of skills because belief was to small. Ask this question – Why doing so is important for me? – answer gives me the solution where to find resources to face such fear.
Self development is great for confidence and internal values building
Ciao
Maciej
“So how do you overcome fear?”
there is a wize anseer to this question, from other big mlm
My question for you is: “Are you at risk?”
Now what exactly do I mean by that?
Let me first share with you a quote from a very distinguished professor named Arthur
Combs from Northern California University. He said, “Our whole entire educational
system is built on right answers which produces a great fear of making mistakes
and stifles creativity.”
So, the question of “are you at risk” is really a question of “Are you out taking risks?” Many
times we are afraid to take risks and sometimes our decisions are not really conscious
all the time. Sometimes it’s really a subconscious thing because we’re afraid of what the
results might be. Maybe we’re afraid of humiliation. Maybe we’re afraid of looking silly
or looking stupid or looking like an idiot or whatever the case may be.
So, sometimes we become afraid of taking risks, like in a business. Some people are
extremely comfortable with the planning phase, the preparation phase, the thinkingabout-
it phase or talking-about-it phase, and they never really just go out there and do
it because they’re afraid of making the mistakes. They’re afraid of the risks that they’re
going to be facing, and are saying to themselves, ‘Oh my gosh, what
if this doesn’t work? Look at all the different people that are
going to see me. They’re going to look down on me.
They’re going to think I’m stupid. They’re going to
look at me as a failure.’”
there is more…
http://www.piercesupport.com
I too am a firm believer in daily personal development– books, CD’s, your blogs, speaking my affirmations, etc.
I also use deep gentle breaths to help calm down.
Two other techniques:
I love to sing so before I pick up the phone I sing a verse or two of “We Three Kings of Orient Are”, which is one of my favorite songs. Gonna invest in a karaoke machine so I can entertain the neighbors too…
Also, I follow Jim Rohn’s advice and tell myself, “This is market research”… usually that shifts me from fearfulness into a playful mindset.
I agree personal development is a minimum 30 minutes a day regimen and having a CD that triggers your energy can set off your whole day in some fantastic ways. The ontological and theological conversation about fear and faith needs work however.
One only needs a ‘mustard’ seed of the ‘faith’ thing and stuff moves. If what you call faith is not moving stuff that is not faith. It could be wishes, high intention or maybe even a massive commitment but none of those are faith. I don’t think ‘fear’ stops people either. Real fear puts people into action, the kind of action that is a perfect place for the mustard seed of faith to appear and grow. I am great using the telephone for prospecting, setting appointments and sales. I have trained people how to perform better than me. The number one issue stopping people using the phone, including me, is ‘call reluctance’ and that is not fear.
If you watch athletes before the game they are warming up. Skip the warm-up and their effectiveness is much less and more injuries occur. The CD just before calling or giving a presentation is a bit of stretching before the game. People need to develop their own stretching exercise before they begin their work. Some may only need a coffee, donut and 15 minutes with the paper, while others may need to warm up their voice with a coach who ‘clears’ them for the day. Many only need to create an appointment for the task in their planner to have it begin.
Too often people have dozens of ‘things’ going on in their mind and all of them screaming for attention, drowning out the task at hand. That is not fear it is a lack of focus. If you can identify what it is that stops you there is a way to use the stop to your advantage. The biggest advantage is others have the same stop and your discovering the thought or insight that moves you into action will empower others into action as well. ITC disease [I’m Too Cool] is rampant or you cannot improve if your primary commitment is ‘looking good.’
Charlie Parker, an extraordinary jazz musician, said; “Master your instrument, master the music, and then forget all that *!xy!@ and just play.” I say you are the instrument. What is your music, your passion? Self development is about mastering you. You also need to master the music; the skills of network and multi level marketing. Pick one to begin and the one I am working on is mastering the art and science of the invitation. How to invite with a laser intensity using the phone, video, email and in person is worth the work.
The best ones to master are the ones you are already good at. For me the good news is there is only 24 hours in a day. You can either struggle attempting to become proficient at a dozen tasks where none of them call your name OR you can become the best at the one or three you already have a talent for.
Thank you Randy for pulling my string on this as it ‘cleared’ me this morning.
It’s easier to stay in action than to get into action.
I read part of a personal development book at lunch and before bed (so my subconscious mind can process it) and get up in the morning “knowing” the faster I get into action the more comfortable I’m going to be.
Thanks Randy.
Advise well taken. I will add reading to my daily goals set for 2010.
Will listen to your wonderful CD’s too. Thanks.
Have a great year.
LOVE where you guys are going here! Thanks all for contributing.
-RG
Good Morning,
Great subject Randy.
Personal development is the key to growing in any endeavor and it prepares the the mind and oneself for the work that must be completed for a positive result.
One of the best ways I have found that helps defeat the feeling of fear is to – ACT AS IF.
“Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does”
Act as if – the phone is NOT your enemy.
Act as if – approaching someone about your opportunity in NOT difficult.
Act as if – sharing your product or service is simple
Act as if – you are at a certain position in your company
Act as if – ????? (You fill in where you currently are having a difficulty).
Of or course we must be properly prepared but the ACTION of the task being done creates the success that is desired.
In the book “The Slight Edge” written by Jeff Olson, the focus of the message in the book is to know :
ANYTHING IS EASY TO DO
UNFORTUNATELY IT IS EASIER NOT TO
What ever is holding you back, whatever you have a fear about doing or not doing…..
IF you ACT AS IF you have no FEAR you will develop the mindset that YOU DON”T.
Be Blessed,
Robert
We all have stage freight and we all need positive reinforcement. Sometimes I had doubts even when I had proof that what I was doing was working… mainly because of other people who chose to be negative about what I was doing. You’re like, really, this won’t work out? But I’m already making over $5,000 per month… I guess it’s possible they could be right… lol
When it comes to fear I ask this question of new distributors. Do you fear 3-5 years in prison more then 40 years of hard labor? Most will say 40 years of hard labor. Fear is easily overcome when you help people to understand what they really fear is failure. Equip a new distributor with the tools and fear is easier to deal with. Another fear factor I believe is not having a true passion for the product or company.If you don’t really believe in your product or in the company then you will project it when approaching even your closest friends with your new business venture. It’s like driving Fords your whole life and trying to sell Chevy’s. there’s no passion. I tell prospect’s that if they are really going to make the leap into NM then be sure the company and product are something that they really believe in. To many great NM people have been lost before they ever got started because they jumped into the first a company that sold the sizzle but kept the steak for themselves. To all I say 2010 will be the greatest year of your life.
I find that if I do some meditation and really focus on my vision board for a while I’m ready to do what it takes again to make those things happen.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
Bob Canner
🙂
The way I use to achieve fear, is to feel it and respect it as it is. The next step is Action!!!
I absolutely agree with Randys self positive devolpment day a day activities.
Its very easy if you understand that the impules to the brain for fear and excitement are exactly the same. So if I feel anxious about making a phone call, I tell myself its just my excitement taking over so lets get to it, and I do!
Self Development is a very powerful tool in becoming a Networking Expert
Much success to all Professional Networkers 2010 and beyond !!
Thanks Randy for your wisdom
DG
Thanks, Randy,
that´s a great post for me.
I am in business for four years and I am still fighting to get over my fear.
Best regards
Volker
Thanks, Randy,
that´s a great post for me.
I am in business for four years and I am still fighting to get over my fear.
Best regards
Volker
Great post. Overcoming fears is a big obstacle for most of us. If it weren’t for Jim Rohn audios I don’t know where I would be.
Some time ago, I did need to buy a car for my firm but I didn’t earn enough money and couldn’t purchase something. Thank heaven my dude proposed to take the loan from banks. Thence, I did so and used to be happy with my car loan.
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