If you’re following the blog, you know I’m in the middle of designing our new studio office for Michelle Lynne Interiors Group. What you don’t know is how ridiculously scary this whole process has been. Being an entrepreneur is not for the weak of heart to begin with, but re-branding and re-defining and re-locating my business this year has been really (really) nerve wracking. (So this post is as much for my benefit as anybody reading this who may need it!)

My largest (professional) fear is that my decisions will be wrong and will leave the business broke. Not only will I not be able to meet financial obligations to my vendors & providers, but that my staff will be let down too. Looking them in the eye and telling them that I can’t make payroll would be horrible. The only thing worse would be telling my husband that I’ve put us into debt through bad business choices. Not to mention the client projects that would suffer. I would finish them, but with a heavy heart.

The thing about fear is that it can paralyze you. I’ve learned that if I stare my fear right in it’s ugly face, I can recognize the actual magnitude of the outcome – good and bad. On the other hand, if I stick my head in the sand and ignore the fear (which, I have admittedly done on occasion), it can provide reckless results. What do I mean by that? Well, with my business, I look at the steps I need to take – each and every scary step – and analyze what could happen. By identifying the best and possible scenarios, I have my map, doing my best to avoid the pitfalls of the other scenarios.

My map is determined by avoiding as many of the less-than-ideal steps that are identified in that analysis. But NOT trying something would be terrible, because success lies on the other side of that effort. It’s like going to the gym after you haven’t been for a while. You don’t want to walk in feeling like a slug. You know it’s going to be difficult. But you also know how awesome the feeling is after you’ve pushed yourself. Right?

Whether your fear is business or personal, take the time to look directly at whatever it is and identify your options in relation to this fear. Don’t hide from it. Don’t back down. Maybe take your time wrestling with it, but don’t turn away. Keep pushing through in a responsible manner and you’ll find what you’re looking for on the other side. Maybe even more than you’ve dreamed of. That’s what I’m planning.

XOXO

Michelle

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