Fear is a paralysing emotion. It makes you close into yourself.
Sergei Rachmaninov - a Russian composer (you may not know his name, but you definitely know his music) - suffered from one of the most recurrent fears among the great artists: the fear of failure.
In 1897 he made his debut with his first symphony to which he had dedicated many efforts. However, it was a monumental failure. Critics massacred his opera and he plunged into depression and thus decided to close himself off.
What happened to Rachmaninov is wonderfully described by this painting - Escaping criticism by Pere Borrell (1874). It seems that this boy is going out; running away from the painting.
Escaping criticism by Pere Borrell (1874)
Well Rachmaninov would have appreciated it. He would have liked to do exactly the same: escape. Fortunately for him, he met a psychologist specialist: Dr. Nikolai Dahl. A few sessions were enough and within a few months, the fear of failure and criticism disappeared. Rachmaninov went back to composing and he did great.
His second concert for piano and orchestra was a masterpiece and in gratitude he dedicated it to Dr. Dahl.
These walls (of fear) can be destroyed. As Rachmaninov has shown us, we can fight against fear.
Overcoming fears in business
Overcoming fear in business is one of the most underrated yet important skills to master in any entrepreneur’s journey.
If you’re not doing the things you need to do to start or grow your business, it’s most likely not a lack of money nor a shortage of time that are stopping you. Chances are, it’s fear.
Being paralysed by fear is extremely common, but surprisingly hard to recognise in ourselves. Often we put our inaction down to lack of skills, money, time, networks or just plain-old procrastination. But if we dig a bit deeper, it’s actually fear in disguise.
If you’re not doing the things you need to do to grow your business, it’s most likely not a lack of money nor a shortage of time that are stopping you. Chances are, it’s fear.
Here’s what I do
Understand my fear When I’m procrastinating about doing something, it could either be that I haven’t worked out how to tackle it, or that I’m afraid of taking that action. I ask myself; “What exactly am I afraid of?” Eg. appearing like a fool? appearing too arrogant? hurting someone’s feelings? .. When you do this, you might even realise that your fear makes no sense at all.
Work out my worst-case scenario Imagine your worst nightmare comes true. What would that look like? What impact would it have on you? For most things, the very worst-case scenario is not that bad. Or we can quickly think of some things we’d do to minimise damage if that situation eventuates.
Analyse my best-case scenario What’s the best thing that could happen from you taking this action you’re afraid of? How would you feel? What impacts might it have on your future? Have you found that your best-case scenario is amazing and your worst-case scenario is not actually that bad? Interesting.
Commit to Take The Next Step Don’t focus on the big project, just do the next thing that moves you closer. Send that email, call that contact, press publish, ask that someone for advice, or pull the trigger on whatever you need to be doing.
About Holborn Consulting
Holborn is an SDR advisory boutique in London, specialised in supporting high-tech firms in the B2B market development.
We help you tackle the fear associated with:
new product lunch in the market
business expansion in a new country
not-reaching your sales goals
References
Overcoming Fear in Business (7 strategies that work), by Fiona Adler; DO THE THING web journal.
How Fear Helps (and Hurts) Entrepreneurs, by James Hayton and Gabriella Cacciotti; Harvard Business Review.
This is Art, Episode 11, by Ramon Gene.
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