What holds YOU back?

I have a very simple question to ask you today, gentle reader.

And it's this.

What holds you back?

Think about your current business…

• That could use a bold move *now*.

Think about the people you love whose spirits are low…

• Who could use a positive comment from *you*.

Think about forging a strong path in a new direction…

• That requires you to face your fears.

What holds you back?

I've been thinking about this for the past week or so, and believe I've come up with several rather fascinating possibilities.

Taking a chance….that's just plain scary.

When you step outside of what society deems is correct and good, you're taking a chance that you'll be laughed at.

• Or perhaps that you'll fail.
• Or maybe you'll offend the person you wanted to help.
• Or it could be that you listen to the insidious little voice in your mind that shoots you down before you make an effort.

Facing those fears….it's character-building to the extreme.

I look back at the actions of my past 7 days, and I realize that others would see them as silly, bizarre, and maybe even a bit offensive.

But my reasons for doing them is as follows.

If I didn't take a chance and put my soul on the line….then who else would?

Sometimes, you simply have to take a chance and accept the possibilities that the results will end up burning you in the short term.

But!

There's an even greater possibility that as time goes on, the deeds themselves will fade but the benefits will finally be acknowledged.

ie:

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did…but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Let's now apply that to you, shall we?

When you give yourself permission to face your fears, you'll experience a rather indescribable feeling…one of:

"Jeepers!  I did it!  And I'm still alive!"

But getting *to* that point….it requires not only giving yourself permission *to* fail…but also giving yourself permission not to *care* if that does indeed happen.

And *that* – wow, is that ever difficult to do!!

So let me ask you again.

What is holding you back from future success….right now?

And how will you tackle that tomorrow?

Grow strong,

— Barbara Ling