Fire Through The Tears

I was on an interview recently with Tshombe Brown from Selling With Spirit Radio and we started talking about perfectionism. After almost ramping up to how perfectionism feeds us and stepping away, we talked about something else that comes up a lot: the idea that we should somehow let go or move beyond the fears and insecurities that we have.

I think the whole notion that you should “get over” something that you’re feeling is bankrupt both conceptually and practically. It’s a corruptive mindset that keeps us from greatness.

One thing people often ask me about once they learn that I was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom is how people operate under fire. “I’d just cry or be unable to speak or freak out,” they say. Here’s the truth: you fire through the tears, the fear, and the freakout. They’re still there, but you move on anyway.

If you’re doing something worth doing, it’s normal to feel anxious, afraid, insecure, or uncertain. Extraordinary journeys come with their fair share of extraordinary emotions. (Click here to share this on Twitter. Thank you!)

Be careful of the stories you tell yourself about the emotions that come up as you’re out there changemaking. It’s okay if you have some tears and fears; what counts is whether you’re still firing.