As business owners, we have all lived through and learned from many difficult shifts and changes in our businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, took away 75 percent of our business as clients were initially hesitant to embrace Zoom for training programs. The companies we worked with shut down, halting our training, consulting, and organizational development services. Despite this, our executive coaching, which had been conducted at Zoom for years, continued as usual. This period was marked by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.

These feelings reminded Dr. Jackalyn Rainosek about a personal story from her childhood in West Texas, where she lived through tornadoes, sandstorms, and severe rainstorms. When she was about eight years old, a major hail and rainstorm destroyed the north side windows of their house. Her parents quickly cut up shoeboxes to tape on the windows to stop the rain from coming in. They rushed her to the interior bathroom to keep her safe. The hailstones were as large as baseballs, softballs, and even two were basketballs, which they saw after the storm stopped. This experience instilled a deep fear of rainstorms in her, which she carried for many years.

Eventually, she realized that fear gains its power when she avoid facing it. Through numerous professional programs and personal work, Jackalyn learned that confronting her fears head-on was the key to overcoming them. Moving to Houston, Texas, where storms are common, she decided it was time to open the door to these fears. During a visit to Galveston, a rainstorm occurred. she decided to move out onto the porch and watch the storm, periodically feeling fear and moving back into her hotel room, only to return to face the storm again. Today, she wear a necklace that reads: “Fate whispered to the WARRIOR, ‘You cannot withstand the STORM.’ The WARRIOR whispers back, ‘I am the STORM.'”

Through learning to face her fears, she has been able to navigate many business challenges. Here are some steps to help business owners face their fears and thrive despite challenges:

Steps to Overcome Fear and Embrace Resilience and Actions to Take

1. Acknowledge Your Fear: The first step in overcoming fear is acknowledging its presence. Recognize what you are afraid of and why. This awareness is the foundation for addressing and overcoming fear.
2. Reflect on Past Experiences: Think about past challenges you have faced and overcome. Reflecting on these experiences can remind you of your resilience and ability to navigate difficult situations.
3. Face Fear Head-On: Avoiding fear only gives it more power. Confront your fears directly by taking small steps toward facing them. Gradually exposing yourself to what you fear can help diminish its power over you.
4. Seek Support: Share your fears with trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues. Talking about your fears can provide new perspectives and support, making it easier to face them.
5. Develop Strategies: Identify coping strategies that work for you, such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help you stay calm and focused when facing fear.
6. Stay Present: Fear often arises from worrying about the future. Practice staying present and focusing on the current moment. This can help you manage fear more effectively.
7. Professional Development: Engage in professional development programs that focus on resilience and overcoming fear. Learning new skills and strategies can empower you to face challenges with confidence.
8. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can offer guidance and encouragement. A strong support network can provide the strength you need to face your fears.
9. Visualize Success: Spend time visualizing successful outcomes. Positive visualization can help reduce fear and build confidence in your ability to overcome challenges.

Conclusion

By acknowledging and facing your fears, you can find strength and resilience to navigate the darkest times. Embrace the storms of life, knowing that fear does not have to control you. With the right strategies and support, you can overcome any challenge and thrive as a business owner. Remember, it is not the absence of fear that defines success, but the courage to face and conquer it.

At DTP Leadership and DTP Business Strategies, we have navigated through many storms and are well-prepared to help you do the same. Our powerful programs help business owners identify where they are leaving revenues and profits on the table and provide the resources and methods to increase their success. Embrace the storm and let your light shine through the darkness.

Seek guidance from the founders of DTP Leadership Group and DTP Business Strategies by contacting us directly at jackalyn@dtpleadership.com or liz@dtpleadership.com. You can also contact us through our website, www.dtpleadership.com.