How to stop fear from driving your future

We live in times when it is hard to stop fear, worry, and panic.

Over the years, many job seekers have told me how scared they are about the future. Today, it seems that when we weather one hard time, crisis, or natural disaster, another takes its place.

Many people (young and old) have chosen escapism to not have to face the challenges of this world. They turn to drugs or alcohol to help them get through the scary moments. Who can blame them? It is scary out there.

Unfortunately, escapism creates new problems and some of those are even harder to escape. It is a vicious circle.

Can you stop fear from driving your future?

You can acknowledge that you are afraid. Facing your fears goes a long way. In today’s world, faith in God is often scoffed at by the same people who put their faith in the things of this world.

For me, I wouldn’t survive a day without knowing I have a heavenly Father who listens to me. I believe everyone has to make that decision for themselves. But when I talk about how to stop fear, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that I put my faith first.

6 more steps to stop fear from driving your future

1. Face your finances. As an entrepreneur (and I am the main income in our family, my husband only gets a small social security check), I understand how scary it is when income isn’t certain. I never know what I will earn.
2. Build a budget. If I can have a budget with no predictable income, you can too. I get very angry when someone tells me they just want to have fun with their money. I have heard that budgets are boring but the act of developing a budget will help you know what is coming and let you plan ahead.
3. Create an emergency fund. We have become a nation of credit card users. Before they invented the credit card, wise people saved for a rainy day. Most of us don’t plan and save for those rainy days even though we know they are inevitable.
4. Find a wise financial counselor. If this is a problem area for you, you need expert help from someone you can trust. Those last 5 words are critical. Get financial advice from someone you can trust. Don’t trust family members who may not understand finances to help you. Years later you may find yourself wishing you had found a real financial counselor.
5. Become CEO of you. Jason Alba  of JibberJobber talked with me about this a long time ago and it has stuck with me since. Don’t think that your company will take care of you for life or even for the next 5 years. Plan ahead.
6. Prepare your resume and make LinkedIn core to your networking initiatives.

How do I know this works?

A life time of being an entrepreneur and making every mistake in the book helped me acknowledge I can let fear drive me or I can stop letting fear drive my future. Is it time you do the same?

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