Comments on: Afraid to Take the Leap? Simple Ways to Face Down Your Fears http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/ Dedicated to helping you find your life mission and live it. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:52:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Wendy http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1341 Wendy Sat, 17 May 2008 19:53:09 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1341 Talk about timing! I've been starting to stress about the changes happening in my life and Valerie, your article made me see it all in a new way. I lost my job of 5 years in February and even though I was miserable for the last year, it still hurt to be shown the door based on someones lie about me. But I walked into a contract job via some volunteer work I'm doing so my fear of the future was abated. But the contract is just about up so the fear has started to resurface. With almost no savings and not having anything lined up I'm scared of what will happen. But by looking at the absurd side of it and remembering that I do have lots of great family and friends who are supportive of me, I know it will be okay. I just have to remember to not worry about tomorrow, it will come with worry or without. Talk about timing! I’ve been starting to stress about the changes happening in my life and Valerie, your article made me see it all in a new way. I lost my job of 5 years in February and even though I was miserable for the last year, it still hurt to be shown the door based on someones lie about me. But I walked into a contract job via some volunteer work I’m doing so my fear of the future was abated.

But the contract is just about up so the fear has started to resurface. With almost no savings and not having anything lined up I’m scared of what will happen. But by looking at the absurd side of it and remembering that I do have lots of great family and friends who are supportive of me, I know it will be okay.

I just have to remember to not worry about tomorrow, it will come with worry or without.

]]> By: Carol http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1260 Carol Mon, 12 May 2008 11:48:09 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1260 Hi there - I've subscribed to your newsletter for a while, and just wanted to share my story with you! I graduated from Law School in Trinidad 20 years ago. While studying law I decided I didn’t want to be a lawyer, but would prefer to do ‘something with music’. Since then, through studying various courses, I decided that I did not want to be a music studio engineer, or a music producer, or a session musician or a media composer. This confused me further, and I began to wonder if I was wasting yet more time pursuing a career in music. I also felt very depressed about getting older with no career development (and more importantly, no financial security) happening. However, a few years ago my life partner asked me to help out with the vocals on a demo CD; I started singing lessons to improve my voice - and lo and behold, realized I could actually sing quite well! I am so impressed with the progress I’ve made with my own voice that I’ve decided to train as a singing teacher. And it turns out that all the musical activities (and legal studies) I had been involved in before were not a waste of time from a career standpoint: all the stuff I learnt in my previous courses can be channeled into developing a singing studio. I am still working full-time as an administrator and don’t plan to jump straight into full-time teaching; however, I have already taught a couple of work colleagues, and am in discussions with my own singing school about joining their teaching ranks on a part-time basis. What I’ve noticed is that, although I’m nervous about changing to a completely differently lifestyle, which involves building and maintaining a clientele for the first time, I feel very calm about the actual decision. I also feel very comfortable with the description ‘singing tutor’, whereas I didn’t feel at all comfortable with the description of ‘lawyer’, 'producer', ‘studio engineer’ or ‘composer’. What am I trying to say? Well, I think I’m saying that if you listen to your inner voice and remain flexible, you will eventually find the right balance for yourself. For a long time I tried to ignore that inner voice, but the thing is you can't escape it. Also, I have accepted that change is a fact of life - again you can't escape it. So as they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Regards, and keep up the great work. Carol, England Hi there - I’ve subscribed to your newsletter for a while, and just
wanted to share my story with you!

I graduated from Law School in Trinidad 20 years ago. While studying
law I decided I didn’t want to be a lawyer, but would prefer to do
‘something with music’. Since then, through studying various courses,
I decided that I did not want to be a music studio engineer, or a
music producer, or a session musician or a media composer. This
confused me further, and I began to wonder if I was wasting yet more
time pursuing a career in music. I also felt very depressed about
getting older with no career development (and more importantly, no
financial security) happening.

However, a few years ago my life partner asked me to help out with the
vocals on a demo CD; I started singing lessons to improve my voice -
and lo and behold, realized I could actually sing quite well! I am so
impressed with the progress I’ve made with my own voice that I’ve
decided to train as a singing teacher. And it turns out that all the
musical activities (and legal studies) I had been involved in before
were not a waste of time from a career standpoint: all the stuff I
learnt in my previous courses can be channeled into developing a
singing studio.

I am still working full-time as an administrator and don’t plan to
jump straight into full-time teaching; however, I have already taught
a couple of work colleagues, and am in discussions with my own singing
school about joining their teaching ranks on a part-time basis. What
I’ve noticed is that, although I’m nervous about changing to a
completely differently lifestyle, which involves building and
maintaining a clientele for the first time, I feel very calm about the
actual decision. I also feel very comfortable with the description
‘singing tutor’, whereas I didn’t feel at all comfortable with the
description of ‘lawyer’, ‘producer’, ‘studio engineer’ or ‘composer’.

What am I trying to say? Well, I think I’m saying that if you listen
to your inner voice and remain flexible, you will eventually find the
right balance for yourself. For a long time I tried to ignore that
inner voice, but the thing is you can’t escape it. Also, I have
accepted that change is a fact of life - again you can’t escape it. So
as they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Regards, and keep up the great work.

Carol, England

]]> By: Lisa http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1252 Lisa Sun, 11 May 2008 15:47:45 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1252 I love all your articles. I read them over and over. I am still in the research stage of things. I have a few ideas, however my problem is how do I get from point A to point B!! I can't seem to get beyond the idea stage of things. But I will continue to try because I realize the rewards will be worth it!! Thank you for the encouragement! Lisa I love all your articles. I read them over and over. I am still in the research stage of things. I have a few ideas, however my problem is how do I get from point A to point B!! I can’t seem to get beyond the idea stage of things. But I will continue to try because I realize the rewards will be worth it!! Thank you for the encouragement! Lisa

]]> By: Evan http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1233 Evan Fri, 09 May 2008 17:45:33 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1233 This is an absolutely encouraging article. Thank you. For years I've tried to identify and face my fear of failure when I know all I have to do is take some small actionable steps. The idea of an escape plan is a perfect and will help me in setting goals, etc. Thank you so much for putting everything in perspective. Evan This is an absolutely encouraging article. Thank you. For years I’ve tried to identify and face my fear of failure when I know all I have to do is take some small actionable steps. The idea of an escape plan is a perfect and will help me in setting goals, etc. Thank you so much for putting everything in perspective. Evan

]]> By: Bev T. http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1231 Bev T. Fri, 09 May 2008 13:40:38 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1231 Valerie: I can't tell you how much I enjoy your website and articles. I wanted to write and tell you and your readers just how much truth there is in your words. While I did some escaping in the j-0-b world myself, it was not so much career-based as it was for personal reasons, and now I find myself in a whole new career as a result. After much thought and quite a bit of introspection, I decided to quit a job I loved, sell my home, and move out of state to be with my boyfriend. It was a move that I needed to do to fill a personal void. Yes, there was much fear, anxiety, and worry, but my gut (which I trust) told me it was the right thing to do. Upon my arrival here, I went back to the same old jobs that I knew how to do, none of them working out. I learned that I not only needed to make a change in my personal life, but also in my professional life as well. Three years later, we are very happily married, and I am in a totally new career managing our own business (which was his previously). I am learning new things every day, seeing life with new eyes, and knowing that my soul is once again alive. I was a girl who never even balanced a checkbook, and I now reconcile nine accounts monthly, not to mention a score of other new and different responsibilities. Also, it is a beautiful Friday afternoon, and we are closing early to go home and do some yardwork....because we can. In summary, yes, it can be frightening, yes, there are always choices to consider, and yes, mistakes can be made. But, when your plan is well thought out and executed, the rewards can be life-altering. Thank you for all of your encouragement! Yours truly, ....another member of "life on the other side." Valerie: I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your website and articles. I wanted to write and tell you and your readers just how much truth there is in your words. While I did some escaping in the j-0-b world myself, it was not so much career-based as it was for personal reasons, and now I find myself in a whole new career as a result. After much thought and quite a bit of introspection, I decided to quit a job I loved, sell my home, and move out of state to be with my boyfriend. It was a move that I needed to do to fill a personal void. Yes, there was much fear, anxiety, and worry, but my gut (which I trust) told me it was the right thing to do. Upon my arrival here, I went back to the same old jobs that I knew how to do, none of them working out. I learned that I not only needed to make a change in my personal life, but also in my professional life as well. Three years later, we are very happily married, and I am in a totally new career managing our own business (which was his previously). I am learning new things every day, seeing life with new eyes, and knowing that my soul is once again alive. I was a girl who never even balanced a checkbook, and I now reconcile nine accounts monthly, not to mention a score of other new and different responsibilities. Also, it is a beautiful Friday afternoon, and we are closing early to go home and do some yardwork….because we can. In summary, yes, it can be frightening, yes, there are always choices to consider, and yes, mistakes can be made. But, when your plan is well thought out and executed, the rewards can be life-altering. Thank you for all of your encouragement!

Yours truly,
….another member of “life on the other side.”

]]> By: Deb http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1230 Deb Fri, 09 May 2008 11:30:15 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1230 Hi, Valerie, You have really changed my life. I, too, "stumbled upon" your site when I was feeling pretty desperate about my j-o-b. Our session over the phone was the first time I felt like I had hope. Then you sent me a Changing Course newsletter with an article about Jeff Walker, and I'm now moving quickly to my goal of independence! I still have fears of the day I'll quit my job-job, but thanks to you, I'm no longer just dreaming about it -- I'm doing it! Thank you. Hi, Valerie,
You have really changed my life. I, too, “stumbled upon” your site when I was feeling pretty desperate about my j-o-b. Our session over the phone was the first time I felt like I had hope. Then you sent me a Changing Course newsletter with an article about Jeff Walker, and I’m now moving quickly to my goal of independence! I still have fears of the day I’ll quit my job-job, but thanks to you, I’m no longer just dreaming about it — I’m doing it! Thank you.

]]> By: Tony http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1229 Tony Fri, 09 May 2008 10:29:16 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1229 Another great article (but I'm sure I've read it before!). Yes, fear holds us back from many things. Sometimes you just have to have a go. In my experience things never turn out as badly as you might expect - soemthing always turns up. :) It is however not as easy as some people might imagine to create multiple income streams following your passion. You need a lot of hard work and some luck too - but it can be done. Some passions lend themselves more to wealth creation than others... Another great article (but I’m sure I’ve read it before!). Yes, fear holds us back from many things. Sometimes you just have to have a go. In my experience things never turn out as badly as you might expect - soemthing always turns up. :)

It is however not as easy as some people might imagine to create multiple income streams following your passion. You need a lot of hard work and some luck too - but it can be done. Some passions lend themselves more to wealth creation than others…

]]> By: Patricia Radnor http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/2008/05/afraid-to-take-the-leap-simple-ways-to-face-down-your-fears/#comment-1227 Patricia Radnor Fri, 09 May 2008 09:44:07 +0000 http://www.changingcourse.com/blog/?p=33#comment-1227 Hi I'm writing from Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. Five months ago I gave up my top-salaried, easy but ver boring job. I've been working on what I love - bats. There's plenty of wprk - visiting schools, giving talks, and I'm trying to organise agrptourism holidays in an unspoiled village for bat enthisiasts. So far there's no income at all and just today the thought came 'you are crazy - you make a giant mistake'. And yet how could I go on selling my soul (I am not so young any more). SO it was great to get Val's newsletter today, living with the fear but going forward. Hi
I’m writing from Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. Five months ago I gave up my top-salaried, easy but ver boring job. I’ve been working on what I love - bats. There’s plenty of wprk - visiting schools, giving talks, and I’m trying to organise agrptourism holidays in an unspoiled village for bat enthisiasts.

So far there’s no income at all and just today the thought came ‘you are crazy - you make a giant mistake’. And yet how could I go on selling my soul (I am not so young any more). SO it was great to get Val’s newsletter today, living with the fear but going forward.

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