Fear Factor - Business
October brings out all kinds of silly or creepy images designed to scare us.
If it wasn't for the candy my kids bring home, I could do without Halloween in general.
All about the holiday that is designed to surprise or frighten us isn't nearly as scary or exhilarating as being in business.
I had the opportunity to observe the Salem Chamber's new Leadership Salem class at its orientation session at YWAM (Youth with a Mission) ropes course.
This teambuilding session had participants literally flying around (safely of course) on zip lines and giant swings.
Clearly, it was the climb and the first leap off the platform that created the most anxiety, but it was the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that followed that was obviously rewarding.
Most of us know what research has said scares us the most.
The real top 10 fears (according to WebMD) are: 1.
Arachnophobia (spiders) 2.
Social phobia (fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations) 3.
Aerophobia (flying) 4.
Agoraphobia (the fear of experiencing a difficult or embarrassing situation from which the sufferer cannot escape) 5.
Claustrophobia (enclosed or confined spaces) 6.
Acrophobia (heights) 7.
Emetophobia (vomit) 8.
Carcinophobia (cancer) 9.
Brontophobia (thunder) 10.
Necrophobia (death or dead things) Now, many of us may suffer from these real phobias but they don't interfere with how we conduct our business lives.
Better yet, we may be able to choose a vocation that keeps us away from spiders or thunder.
However, there are some things to really be afraid of when you're embarking on an entrepreneurial venture, job change or expansion.
Part of the experience of fear, I believe, is to remind us that we are alive and it challenges us to put more meaning into our stint on the "big blue ball.
" So, below are some thoughts about the fears we face in business and how to overcome them, or at least put them in perspective: The fear of the unknown: When the Leadership Salem class had to make that first jump off the platform, they needed the courage.
Although encouraged by onlookers and obviously well secured, the unknown experience caused a lot of fear.
If you are taking on a new business challenge, surround yourself with encouragers, experts, leaders and colleagues who help you prepare for your leap with tales of experience and optimism.
The fear of failure: Colin Powell says, "There are no secrets to success.
It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
" The broad (average) road in life is easy to take, but it is the narrow and more difficult road that is the challenge.
If there is no chance of failure then any success has no meaning.
I have never met a person, worthy of admiration, who has not failed.
What makes them unique is they do not focus on that failure.
The fear of success: Now, this is an odd one, but there are some people who seem to be successful, yet can't celebrate with an attitude of gratitude and accomplishment.
Business success is individually defined; however, most are seeking meaningful work for fair pay.
Those who fear success may tarnish the rewards of hard work by living with a constant fear that it might be "snatched" away.
Another fear is doubting their own role in their success.
They may feel that if the truth (that they really don't know what they're doing) was discovered, they would be revealed as a fraud.
It may be cliché to say, success is a journey, but to redefine success as making small steps towards your goal and take the time to reflect on your own contribution each day builds this confidence.
The fear of insignificance: There comes a time when our professional work or relationships will end.
We might ask the question: What influence did I have in my industry, my community, or my colleagues?What, in my daily eight hours, did I do that left a lasting impression on those who remain? Rarely are we remembered for the reports we wrote, the meetings we led or the widgets we produced.
Significance is measured by the friendships we made, the nurturing and mentoring we provided our colleagues and community youth, our charitable work and donations for the betterment of our city and the genuine interest we have in people.
Doing all those things will create this significance.
There is no reason to fear! The challenges we face each day by leaping with confidence and bravery and by sharing what we learned with others, we can only succeed.
Mary Louise VanNatta, CAE has received her Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
If it wasn't for the candy my kids bring home, I could do without Halloween in general.
All about the holiday that is designed to surprise or frighten us isn't nearly as scary or exhilarating as being in business.
I had the opportunity to observe the Salem Chamber's new Leadership Salem class at its orientation session at YWAM (Youth with a Mission) ropes course.
This teambuilding session had participants literally flying around (safely of course) on zip lines and giant swings.
Clearly, it was the climb and the first leap off the platform that created the most anxiety, but it was the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that followed that was obviously rewarding.
Most of us know what research has said scares us the most.
The real top 10 fears (according to WebMD) are: 1.
Arachnophobia (spiders) 2.
Social phobia (fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations) 3.
Aerophobia (flying) 4.
Agoraphobia (the fear of experiencing a difficult or embarrassing situation from which the sufferer cannot escape) 5.
Claustrophobia (enclosed or confined spaces) 6.
Acrophobia (heights) 7.
Emetophobia (vomit) 8.
Carcinophobia (cancer) 9.
Brontophobia (thunder) 10.
Necrophobia (death or dead things) Now, many of us may suffer from these real phobias but they don't interfere with how we conduct our business lives.
Better yet, we may be able to choose a vocation that keeps us away from spiders or thunder.
However, there are some things to really be afraid of when you're embarking on an entrepreneurial venture, job change or expansion.
Part of the experience of fear, I believe, is to remind us that we are alive and it challenges us to put more meaning into our stint on the "big blue ball.
" So, below are some thoughts about the fears we face in business and how to overcome them, or at least put them in perspective: The fear of the unknown: When the Leadership Salem class had to make that first jump off the platform, they needed the courage.
Although encouraged by onlookers and obviously well secured, the unknown experience caused a lot of fear.
If you are taking on a new business challenge, surround yourself with encouragers, experts, leaders and colleagues who help you prepare for your leap with tales of experience and optimism.
The fear of failure: Colin Powell says, "There are no secrets to success.
It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
" The broad (average) road in life is easy to take, but it is the narrow and more difficult road that is the challenge.
If there is no chance of failure then any success has no meaning.
I have never met a person, worthy of admiration, who has not failed.
What makes them unique is they do not focus on that failure.
The fear of success: Now, this is an odd one, but there are some people who seem to be successful, yet can't celebrate with an attitude of gratitude and accomplishment.
Business success is individually defined; however, most are seeking meaningful work for fair pay.
Those who fear success may tarnish the rewards of hard work by living with a constant fear that it might be "snatched" away.
Another fear is doubting their own role in their success.
They may feel that if the truth (that they really don't know what they're doing) was discovered, they would be revealed as a fraud.
It may be cliché to say, success is a journey, but to redefine success as making small steps towards your goal and take the time to reflect on your own contribution each day builds this confidence.
The fear of insignificance: There comes a time when our professional work or relationships will end.
We might ask the question: What influence did I have in my industry, my community, or my colleagues?What, in my daily eight hours, did I do that left a lasting impression on those who remain? Rarely are we remembered for the reports we wrote, the meetings we led or the widgets we produced.
Significance is measured by the friendships we made, the nurturing and mentoring we provided our colleagues and community youth, our charitable work and donations for the betterment of our city and the genuine interest we have in people.
Doing all those things will create this significance.
There is no reason to fear! The challenges we face each day by leaping with confidence and bravery and by sharing what we learned with others, we can only succeed.
Mary Louise VanNatta, CAE has received her Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
