"I can only be myself, and with time, get better at being me."  *--S.M.

"Success doesn't mean the absence of failures it means the attainment of ultimate objectives it means winning the war not every battle."

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."  *--Roy L. Smith 
 

My two year old daughter is the bravest person I know.

Last week, she had to undergo an in-depth physical examination, which included lots of poking and prodding, and strange sterile places and smells. The whole event culminated with getting 6 vials of blood drawn from her teenincy little veins. This was actually the 3rd time in two weeks that attempts were made to draw blood from her tiny arms. Out of 6 needle sticks, only two were successful in getting the required amount of blood for the panel of tests the doctor ordered.

I don't know about you, but I HATE getting blood drawn, and I've been known to whine, cry and even pass out - and I am a (so-called) mature adult!

This precious, brave, scared little girl cried and cried, but sat perfectly still for what seemed like hours as a parade of people in white coats, rubber gloves, and funny-looking big plastic goggles took turns attempting to extract her blood. The lab technicians were prepared for kicking, squirming, and flailing, but were amazed at her ability to keep her body still rather than giving in to her instincts to kick, punch, and try to flee what must have seemed like torture to her.

'Well, good for her...' you say, and 'So what does this have to do with me?'

Imagine in living color the scariest part of working your business. Is it gathering leads? Is it picking up the phone to make 'the ask?' Is it continuing on with the next step even after what seems like the worst rejection ever? Is it announcing a huge goal that everyone else tells you you'll never be able to achieve?

Now that your vivid imagination has you in that place - do you feel like screaming and crying? Do you feel like running away? Kicking and punching? Quitting?

You are not alone in having those feelings. Fear is perfectly natural - normal - and, in fact, it's desirable!

Ask any ridiculously successful person if they have experienced (and still experience) fear and you will get a resounding 'yes!' What separates the winners from everyone else, though, is that they march right on - doing what's necessary and right, in spite of their fears! They have learned how to turn their fears into energy for doing the hard things - the things that matter most.

My little daughter didn't know what was going on and why people were sticking her with needles. She didn't know that these tests will help the doctor make an accurate assessment of her health, and to identify any special treatments that may be required. But, somewhere in her mind was the ability to cry out in the midst of her incredible fear while simultaneously demonstrating self-control over her gut instincts to 'get the heck out of here.' She sat right there, with her little face just inches from the pain and fear - and she didn't flinch. Her response to this huge fear was inspiring. I have no excuses now - there is a little two year old girl watching to see what I will do with my fears.

So, who is watching to see your gutsy demonstration of courage and faith in the face of your fears?

"In each of us are places where we have never gone.   Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them."
*-- Dr. Joyce Brothers

"Look for the good in every person and every situation. You'll almost always find it."
*-- Brian Tracy - Million Dollar Habits