Slaying the Big Hairy Monster

As human beings there is one thing that we all struggle with – fear.  No matter how big or strong you are we all have some deep seated fear that influences us in some way.  Our maturation and success as a human is directly related to our ability to understand the form which our “big hairy monster” takes and bravely face it and push past it.  It is by slaying the “big hairy monster” that we are able to achieve our goals and realize our dreams.

The following video and blog post is a presentation to Ignite Tampa.  It’s is my interpretation of what it takes to slay the big hairy monster!

The big hairy monster is like a rope.  It holds us back and ties us down.  It defines who we are, and if we let it, it will define who we will become!

How Do You Deal with Fear?

So, how do you deal with it?  That depends on what type of person that you are.

If you’re a “type A” personality then you want to bulldoze past everything.  You try to get past the little voice inside that haunts you.  You think that if you ignore it, it will go away.  But, the big hairy monster never goes away!

If you’re a worrier, then you worry.  What will happen if the big hairy monster gets you?  You make it bigger, stronger and give it more power than the big hairy monster really has.

No matter what type you are, you try to cope.  You try to cope by losing yourself in something.  In your work or your favorite pastime.  Some of us smoke, drink, or medicate so we can forget.  Still others eat, and eat, and eat.

But, if you ignore the big hairy monster it becomes a pressure cooker!………..Do you feel it down deep inside…..it’s building up, and up…..until it finds a crack ….. and then

BOOOOOM!!!!

You explode!

You don’t know when it’s going to happen or where.  Hopefully, you only look foolish when it does.  But more often than not, you hurt the people around you.  And many times it’s the people that you care about the most!

Fear Can Create Embarrassment

What is left is not flattering.  It takes on many different forms: shame, guilt, doubt, depression, and even more fear.  One thing is for sure.  No matter what form it takes it will not help you to achieve your goals and dreams.  So you need to move past it and take action.

Fear is what feeds the monster.  But, fear is a baser instinct.  So, you can’t get rid of it.  You can only learn to live with it.  And, for that you need strength.  But, not the kind of strength that you would think.

It take humility.  You need the humility to admit that you actually have a problem, and you have to face it.  You created the monster and YOU CAN SLAY IT TOO!

That takes courage.  The courage to look deep down inside.  You have to become self-aware of who you really are, and what truths you hold onto tight within yourself.  These truths are the things that you have to get past and there is only one person that can do that – YOU!

You are both the problem, and the solution.  You are the answer to the question because you gave life to the monster.  Only you can slay it.

You have to take a good hard look in the mirror.  You had the power to create the monster and you have the power to destroy it.  Just look in the mirror and own it.  You are the maker and the destroyer.

The toughest part is going to be the change that you must face.  Whatever you used to create the monster, you have to change the way that you think about it.  Sometimes that means changing the things that you’ve held as truths for many, many years.

Have the Courage to Change

You have the strength to do it.  You just need to be brave enough to reach deep down inside and unleash the strength that is within you.

It’s like a wall between you and what you want from your life.  It’s held you back all this time.  You just need to change how you think about it.  If you do, you can break through the wall.  Success is on the other side.  It’s your reward if you’re brave enough to unleash the strength that you‘ve caged inside.

So, don’t fear success, embrace it!  Redefine the truths that you’ve held so on for so long that have held you back!  Change these things and success is your reward.

Here is my challenge to you:

• Find the strength to change.
• Bravely push past the fear that holds you back.
• Change the truths that have tied you down for so long.
• Breakthrough that wall, because SUCCESS is just on the other side.

So, what are you going to do?  Are you ready?  GO SLAY THAT BIG HAIRY MONSTER!!!

Know Your WHY and Face the Fear

We often create fear from the unknown. This holds you back when you own a business from having what you really want. This means you need clarity on your WHY.

When I say “your WHY”, I’m not talking about your business. I’m talking about WHY you took the risk of owning your business.

When you started your business, you thought that owning it would give you something that you wanted in your life. WHAT WAS THAT? Figure that out and reconnect with it, then everything will change!

A great way to figure that out is by taking our Find Your Fire Again: 7-Day Challenge.   It helps you reconnect with WHY you started your business in the first place, so you can overcome your fear and find the power to do the impossible again.