I’ve been thinking about fear lately. Sometimes the seemingly benign thing is scary. An amazing client of mine who is a great writer told me that she got spooked when it came to writing something with her author signature. She’s been a ghostwriter (happy Halloween!) but hasn’t had the experience of taking credit for her own work. She knows that she has insights to share and that she can do a high-quality job, and she’s scared.
Taking credit for your talents can be scary.
Another client is about to start a new job. It’s the first time she will have a full time job in several years. She’s terrified. Overwhelmed. Nervous. And maybe a wee bit excited. Like all too many people, she had a few really crappy job endings and challenging bosses. She can’t let go of the “what if they are bad/misleading/hard to get along with”. She doesn’t really trust that work can be good and co-workers and bosses can be good and that she will do well. She’s seeing all the things that scare her. She can still feel those old shivers and shakes.
We all know that being new can be scary. And when you’re doing something with high stakes like starting a job, it’s understandable to feel terrified.
There are many scary-intimidating tasks in a job search. Take your pick: interviewing, networking, getting rejected, getting hired, going into the unknown, doing jobs you don’t fully know how to do, reaching out and getting no response, making a choice that feels like it shapes your career path, taking credit, being boastful, being visible.
I have advice for you that comes from my writer-client:
Do It Scared.
Acknowledge that you are scared. Acknowledge that it’s scary.
Then break that task down. Don’t let it stay in overwhelm.
Write a paragraph. Look at one job posting. Write down the questions you have for your new boss.
Remind yourself that you are doing something scary, and you are doing it slowly but surely. While breathing. Inhaling and exhaling.
While wearing your favorite sweater and drinking your yummiest tea.
While being kind and gentle with yourself.
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
There are so many scary things in life. Many of us are Doing it Scared. Give yourself credit for doing while scared. Don’t let fear have the last word in your resume or your personal growth.
And yeah, give yourself plenty of treats if that helps you.
Happy Halloween!