Comments on: Fear Busting

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:03:45 +0000

Sorry about that, Gabriella! You were lost in the Spam folder, but I rescued your post.

Good point - the job is yours to win, not lose. I just saw someone with whom I'd had a number of LinkedIn emails with post the job he was offering to the group. Naturally it was right after I'd given my price.

That wasn't my job.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:20:02 +0000

Great advice, John. Don't let failure become your final word on anything.

By: John Buchanan

John Buchanan — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:55:13 +0000

Those who never try never succeed.
Those who succeed have usually failed.
The difference is learning from your mistakes.
If you fail, pick yourself up, brush off the dirt,consider what went wrong, make the necessary adjustments and then try again.
Oh and Keep the Goal in Mind.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:17:18 +0000

What the heck?!

I left a comment here earlier, and, poof! It's gone! Damn technology!

Anyway, I said I just interviewed a woman who had a great quote about fear. She pitched herself for a job--and got it.

She said: “I’ve learned not to be afraid of the word ‘no,’” she says. “I already didn’t have the job, and the worst that could have happened was that I continued to not have the job. Don’t be your own worst enemy and make something not happen because you’re scared.”

I really liked that reasoning, and it was a good reminder to me.

My policy about fear? I usually MAKE myself do the things I fear. Sure, I can dither a bit, but I'm a jumper-inner.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:52:37 +0000

Amen, Paula. Amen.

Same here, Anne. What the hell gets more accomplished than "Gee, I wonder if I can..."

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:06:14 +0000

Yeah, I'm with Colin – a what-the-hell-attitude gets it done.

Paula, good observation… any communication from a client or editor is usually also a chance to sell.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:01:52 +0000

Hi Lori.

I just interviewed a woman who pitched herself to become a start-up's first in-house counsel, and I really liked her attitude. She said, "I already didn’t have the job, and the worst that could have happened was that I continued to not have the job. Don’t be your own worst enemy and make something not happen because you’re scared."

Amen, sistah!

My way of dealing with fear is just doing it. I MAKE myself do the thing I fear with a sort of, "OK, here goes" attitude. I may dither for a bit, but I always get to that jumping-in point.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:15:20 +0000

Piggybacking on Wendy's comment, when an editor or client passes on an idea it gives you the opportunity to pitch them another idea.

The thing I realized early on is when an editor takes the time to "reject" you, they're also leaving the door open. Those who don't want to hear from you again simple don't reply. At all.

I'm sure everyone here gets this a lot: people saying how brave we must be for working without the safety net of a steady paycheck and all the perks that go with regular jobs. I've never viewed it as brave, since I've never been able to see myself doing anything else.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:37:29 +0000

Wade, there's a lot that goes into that decision, including how much cash you need to have stored away. If your wife and family are behind you on it, go in with both feet!

Let go when it makes sense. :)

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:17:59 +0000

Lori, great advice as usual. I believe everyone has a point they must get past. For many it is the first step, but for me it is the full-time phrase. Part-time writer and full-time teacher is easy for me to handle. I want to be a full-time writer. As my neighbor always says, "it's good to want." My biggest hang-up is that I have a family counting on me to bring home money, and the teaching job has that security. I will let go and realize my dreams. Thanks for the encouragement.