Fear Prevents You From Seizing Opportunities

Hey team! We’ve been going through a series of topics over the last few weeks that have really resonated with me. These are simple phrases and words, but they are incredibly impactful in helping you grow into the person you want to be. You might wonder why you aren’t there yet or what you need to do more. Well, these concepts are things I’ve personally worked on in my life over the years, and they’ve been instrumental in my growth. The last word in this series is “fear.”

Fear prevents you from seizing opportunities. When we get fearful, we sometimes overanalyze things and end up worrying. We start asking questions like, “What if this?” or “What if that?” and before we know it, our minds start spiraling negatively. This fear and paralysis take hold of us, leaving us unable to move forward. When that happens, we don’t get much done. We can’t make decisions, and we miss opportunities for growth, expansion, and so many other things.

Back in my early years, I used to teach a lot of first aid and CPR. Occasionally, someone would present an impossible scenario. They’d ask, “What if, Chad, you were 35 miles in the middle of nowhere, and your friend had a heart attack? What would you do?” I’d look at them and say, “What if a frog had a glass butt?” They’d be baffled, and I’d explain, “If a frog had a glass butt, it’d probably only hop once.” The point is, we can “what if” ourselves into scenarios we can’t escape from. If you’re 35 miles from your car, 50 miles from a hospital, and your friend has a heart attack, barring a miracle, your friend is probably not going to make it. So why put yourself in that impossible scenario and “what if” yourself into a corner?

We do this in life. We think, “What if this doesn’t happen?” Or what if that takes place. And what if so-and-so quits, what if we don’t hire someone?” And we can “what if” ourselves into a mental bind. We do the same thing at home. “What if my spouse cheats on me?” “What if my kids don’t listen?” And it’s fear that paralyzes us, stopping us from seizing growth opportunities.

Now, I’m not saying not to analyze or think things through. You should have a good process, wise counsel, and trusted people around you to help you make decisions. A certain amount of “what if-ing” is necessary. But at some point, you have to make a choice. You have to move forward. With wise counsel and a sound process, you can make a good decision, but you won’t see every angle. We’ve made both good and bad decisions as a company, and even the bad ones have strengthened us, making us more resilient and insightful.

Sometimes you make a decision, and it turns out to not be the best. But even then, you learn, grow, and prepare for the next challenge. Don’t let fear and analysis paralysis stop you from making a decision. Sometimes, any decision is better than no decision. Imagine standing on train tracks with a train coming—if you don’t decide to move, you’ll get run over. So think it through, do some analysis, and weigh the pros and cons, but then make a decision.

In a company, we often do a SWOT analysis—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Those are all important. But once that analysis is done, you have to make a choice. Sometimes that choice is not to act, and that’s okay too. But if you’re still not sure after all your analysis and you don’t make any decision, then you’re not going to grow as a person, a team, a company, or a family. That’s what really matters.

So remember, don’t be so fearful that you stop making decisions. Get after it, and don’t lose opportunities in the process.

God bless you all. I hope you have a wonderful week. Fall is moving along, and Christmas parties are around the corner. Be valuable, because nothing less will do. See you next week!