Fear runs deep. Fear is what keeps us alive...

Fear runs deep. Fear is what keeps us alive. Fear of the unknown balances childish curiosity and keeps us safe. 

The thing is, even though most of us are no longer children.... fear still runs deep.

We still feel the same feelings when we face possible failure, but now those feelings revolve around shame. Losing a video game in private is fine, but asking a stupid question in a meeting is not.

Shame is the dream killer, because shame (or the possibility of shame) amplifies our fear of fear, keeps us from contributing and short circuits our willingness to explore. It’s one of the underlying drivers that hijack business success.

As soon as we give it a name, though, as soon as we call it out, we can begin to move forward. Fear of shame unspoken is fear of shame amplified.
Look at the results you are getting in your life. Could it be that the real culprit, the driving force behind the average and mediocre results, is fear of shame?

Average and mediocre happens without effort. All you need to do is... nothing. That's why the world is over run with average. But extraordinary success will take effort on your part. Big achievers know this. They don't sit on the side lines and wait. They take action; because they know that a business will never outgrow the quality of thinking the leader brings to it. 

Be afraid of significant failure if you can quantify the downsides. But call out fear of shame because it is a waste and a trap.

Be Well,
Angela Decoteau
pronounced (Deck-uh-toe)