Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…

Dear Friend,

There are a lot of scary things in the world, and in our sphere of writing I can name a few that have stopped me in my tracks. Things like second-guessing myself. Wondering if my writing is any good. Debating whether I’m doing the right things.

And the biggest one for me: missing opportunities because I have too many questions and feel too fearful.

What if I do it wrong?

What if it doesn’t turn out the way I want it to?

What if it looks stupid?

 

A quote from Zig Ziglar:
Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. Start from where you are with what you have and give it your best shot. Even though it might not be the shot of an expert, if you hang in there and hone your skills with lots of hard work and practice, you will eventually be good.

 

I have to admit when I read that Zig quote I didn’t like the first sentence. Do something poorly? Are you kidding me? I can’t do something poorly. I have to do it right. The first time. It has to be perfect.

 

So what happened next? You got it. I didn’t do it. I didn’t even start. Why? Because I was too afraid.

 

Feel the fear and do it anyway. Susan Jeffers

 

I like that quote a lot. And I taped it all around my office. And I began to do these things:

 

 

Adopted a rescue dog.
Scary part: it’s going to change my life.
What I told myself: yes, but in a good way! (and it did)

 

Submitted my work.

Scary part: I may get rejected.
What I told myself: yes, but I can handle it and I’ll try again. Besides, someone may like it!

 

 

 

Built my platform.
Scary part: I don’t know anything about blogging.
What I told myself: but what if it turns out to be fun? Charlie Bear the adopted rescue dog posts on the blog, and I fill it with information dog-related and other times writing-related. I’m having a blast with it.

 

I eventually realized what Zig Ziglar said in his quote is true: give it lots of hard work and practice.

 

Are you afraid of something? What do you fear? Can you feel the fear and do it anyway?

Happy writing and blessings on your work. 

What’s Happening…

Southern California Writers’ Conference –  This Ninth Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference *LA (at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach), Sept. 23-25, 2011 is founded and run by working writers. The SCWC has facilitated nearly $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals. With extended one-on-one evaluation of advance submissions and dozens of read & critique and Q&A workshops, this event is purposely tailored to empower writers to sell their work. Join me at this one. It promises to be GOOD! www.WritersConference.com

Sock it to Me >

Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference March 30 – April 3, 2012. It’s far away, but not too far away to start planning now. I think a pretty sock, one that’s striped or polka-dotted, is the perfect vehicle to hold your stuffed-away money for the conference. Put $17.50 per week in it and you’ll have the fee saved up by the time of the conference! Treat yourself! http://mounthermon.org/adult/professionals/writers-conference 

Follow your dreams…

B.J.

BLOG: www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com 

Facebook: listed on FB as B.j.Taylor
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Author of :
“The Complete Guide to Writers Groups That Work”
Available on Amazon.com or http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-4099-7

Website: www.bjtayloronline.com