The Fear Factor: How to Get What You Want

Read time: 10 mins

Nothing good ever comes from inside our comfort zone.

If you want to build something worthwhile, we must get out of our little soft n' squishy comfort bubbles and start doing uncomfortable stuff.

It doesn't matter who you are; - Creator- Banker-Athlete- Hair dresser- Entrepreneur...

Things are gonna get rough if you go after something that's meaningful to you.

The problem?

Most of us - me included - find it difficult at getting out of our comfort zones.

Our comfort zone is where we feel safe from the unknown. Protected from evil. Completely in control.

Predictability and certainty blossoms here - I like to call this place, 'the land of the bland.'

So why do we stay in our comfort zones?

Because we think once we cross the barrier from comfort zone to the learning and growth zone, that it's going to be absolute hell.

What if I fail?What if it doesn't work out?What if I look like an absolute idiot?

Ah yes, welcome to the land of the internet my friend.

But it's not all doom and gloom.

Once you get past your fear zone and into a phase of learning and growth, you'll unlock significant new knowledge and skills - which previously were not accessible in your tiny little comfort bubble.

This is where magic stuff happens.

Here are 3 common thoughts to help shed some light on the reality of growing/building online and the payoffs that come along with overcoming your fears.

"Nobody will care what I put out"

This is true. I can guarantee when you begin to put yourself out there on the internet, nobody is going to give a rat's ass about whatever it is you're doing. They just won't.

It's the same for everyone (of course unless you're a Kardashian, in which case you were born into wealth, and all you have to do is flash your ass on the front of a magazine and you're off to the races).

Understand it's ok to suck in the beginning. Play the long game. Yes... your first post, video, podcast, blog will absolutely suck. Post it anyway -- and then keep posting; Building online is hard. It takes time, consistency and above all, patience.

I've seen a ton of people start YouTube channels, post their first few videos, then give up soon after because they didn't get the viral dopamine shot they were seeking. Play the long game - building a personal brand should be a life-long journey (and not something you achieve in 90 days). Think decades. Not days.

Pick an obsession. Go all in. Start there.

"People will mock me"

1000% yes. People will take the p*ss - and I can bet the last pound in my pocket that it'll be those closest to you ;) FriendsFamilyCo-workers. They'll tease you for creating content. Why? Because you're the crab climbing outta the bucket, overcoming the same insecurity they have gnawing away at their insides - and it's their natural reaction to try drag you back down.

Nobody wants to feel left behind.

But guess what? These same people will be the ones who come to you for advice when they realise they've missed out. Mockery turns to admiration and I speak from experience.

Yes... You will get trolled

It doesn't matter what you post or talk about, a small portion of people will find a way to dislike what you do. We call these trolls. They've always got something nasty to say.

How do you handle trolls? Easy.

Don't give them the lime light they seek. Don't take their bait. Block em and don't engage. Treat them as they deserve to be treated - like they don't exist.

Wrapping up The Fear Factor...

A) Just start.

B) Yes, it's going to be rough.

C) Yes, it's going to be difficult.

D) Yes, you will be disliked

But above all of this, the positives of putting yourself out there will always far outweigh the negatives.

Take action (today)Yes, people will hurt your feelings.Your actions will compound over time.Only the bravest play this game.See you out on the field, friend!

How I Can Help You When You Are Ready

For more tips on growing your personal brand on Instagram, check out my Instagram Growth Guide. It includes 10 more 'granular' tips for how I grow my following (what we covered today was the 'big picture'. This is the small steps to making that happen).

Grab it here (it's free)

I also have my GoPro video course; GoPro Video Magic. This is a beginner-friendly course for shooting, editing, and sharing epic videos with a GoPro camera. It's literally everything I know about action cameras, including setup, shooting, editing, and sharing on social.

Enrol here for £29.99(I will be bumping up the price very soon - I realise this is way under-value for what's inside.)