Comments on: Terror and Self Doubt

By: Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Rebecca Laffar-Smith — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:48:00 +0000

This is a fantastic topic and it is very reassuring to know others face these kinds of fears. I'm often stifled because I don't know how to deal with the anxiety I frequently have.

I've found, the only way to douse fear is to shut up, sit down, and begin. Doing it is much harder than saying it.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:55:00 +0000

LOL Great point, deb! Comfort is often a bit on the boring side, isn’t it?

By: --Deb

--Deb — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Fear is a powerful thing! I think it’s one of the reasons procrastinating is so seductive–but, good for you for working through it. That’s something I really need to work on. “Comfort Zone” SOUNDS so nice and cozy, it’s easy to forget that it’s also muffling, stifling, and restricting. Good luck!

By: writtenexpressions

writtenexpressions — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:28:00 +0000

I experience the most anxiety thinking about the project. Once I start, I’m okay–it’s the anticipation that’s the killer.

Worse than the anticipation and fear of failure is the self-sabotage in which I find myself occasionally engaging. I have to tell myself not to be afraid to succeed.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:08:00 +0000

When doesn’t the fear strike me? I just landed client that promises to be big (in terms of expanding my portfolio)… I was referred to him by another client.. OK said foot is now in door – Don’t let it get slammed shut.

I had to put on my “South side” attitude (it’s something us little geeky kids wear when when we’re scared out of drawers we’re gonna get beat up in the tough neighborhood), and talked to the potential client like I already had the job… It may not always work but for me, I knew who I was dealing with and what they were expecting from me based on my submitted clips. I had to go with that persona in order to get the rest of my body in the door and it worked.

My fear usually comes in the first initial meetings, in the pleasantries where the first impression is the greatest. I have to rummage through the closet and pull out an air of confidence I only put on for special occasions and forge ahead sometimes my tough girl side comes along for the ride… in case she needs to open a can of butt kicking on my confidence! ;-D

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:12:00 +0000

I mostly get The Fear when I turn a first draft in to an editor, and then there’s the wait period before I back from her… I tend to avoid my email the first part of the day, as if to psyche myself up for whatever lies within.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Congratulations on this new opportunity, Lori – what a great topic! Yeah, this is something I am all too familiar with! A few months ago I had a graphic design company in Canada ask me to join their team as a contract worker to provide copywriting/marketing material because she was expanding her business into web development. I was familiar with some aspects of copywriting more than others, so she tested me out (with pay) by asking me to develope marketing material to announce her business’ newly expanded services. Boy was I terrified! But it worked out great, and now I have experience and an expanded portfolio!

I feel like this whenever I get a new client too. I don’t know how to overcome it, or even if I should. I remind myself that I am doing what I love, and I just go for it!

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:12:00 +0000

I'm scared all the time.

But the more a project scares me, the more I know I have to do it, so I can face new challenges.

By: L.S. King

L.S. King — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:39:00 +0000

I so know what you mean. Granted I have a lot of experience with self-hypnosis, but I occasionally find myself looking at new project that unnerves me. I do two thing – I try to remember the people I am dealing with are human and that mistakes happen. Then I relax and do a mental dress rehearsal of my presentation (or what have you) in detail.