Acknowledge that most often the NO’s are Fear speaking and they are playing a significant role in your decision-making process. Try saying “Hello Fear” and taking a look at all those worried thoughts and doubts.

Determine where your fear is coming from. Is it rooted in past experiences, society’s expectations, your family’s ideas or self-doubt? Understanding the source can help you talk back to your fear with compassion and strength.

When you encounter fear, ask questions. Is the fear true? Are you creating the fear? What is that fear trying to tell you? Ask yourself if it’s genuinely warning you of a legitimate danger or if it’s merely the fear of the unknown speaking.

Examine words and thoughts that stop you. Think about how you talk yourself out of what you want to do for clues. You’re not ready. You’re not good enough. Will you look silly? Unprofessional. Will you embarrass yourself? Replace those ideas with positive words that support who you are! One idea?  I’m ready. And if things don’t work out the way I want, I’ll learn and improve. It’s a win no matter what happens.

Remember that growth often occurs outside of your comfort zone. Everything happens in the unknown future. You can’t know the outcome. So look ahead with curiosity rather than trepidation. Understand that life experiences, even those accompanied by fear, can lead to self-discovery and being proud of yourself.

Sometimes, we look back on missed opportunities with regret, realizing that fear was the driving force behind our decisions. But it’s never too late to revisit those opportunities, even if they once seemed lost. Use those experiences as lessons that motivate you to face fear head-on in the future. Awareness is emotional growth!