The courage to start your own business

Dare yourself to do something you fear

I’m now going to ask you to do something you’ve always wanted to do but have never dared. It shouldn’t have anything to do with work but should be an activity that you would always regret you never tried. Ideally, you should do it this week, but if your secret dream is to go to India, then at least start making arrangements this week and commit to going.

It could be parachuting out of a plane, scuba diving or hot-air ballooning. Or it could be something more gentle, but just as difficult for you, like singing a song in front of your friends and family, painting a self-portrait, having a look around a sex shop or going to a rock ‘n’ roll concert on your own and dancing all the way through.

Although I’ve often wanted to, I’ve always dreaded going to the cinema on my own. I always imagined everyone in the audience would be staring at me, thinking I didn’t have any friends, even though there are those who say going to the cinema on their own is bliss. They tell me it’s the only way they can feel the emotional space to really experience the films. I, on the other hand, get completely paranoid.

So think of something little and doable that you can do to challenge your fears this week. Maybe it’s just phoning up your ex who you never completed with and saying goodbye in a loving way. It’s never too late for any of us to remove yet more barriers that are blocking us from moving into our full potential.