“Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ Actually, who are we not to be?

Marianne Williamson 

You see a new opportunity for yourself.  It’s a  natural.  Now you must make the call.  Nothing happens without it.

But, you are hesitating. 

The first thought that comes to mind is that you are afraid of rejection.  It is not a pleasant thought.  Fear of failure is something with which we are very familiar.  We’ve failed before.  People have turned us down.

But, this is a different time and a different call to a different person.  Why would we prejudge the situation based on our prior experience? 

We do.  People tell us it is because we have low self esteem.  Something we have been working on to improve. But, it prevails.

Someone once told me that if you were told you were very talented and worthy, we would say to ourselves –“They don’t really know me.”

But if the same person said we were a complete failure and incapable of great achievements, we would then say to ourselves – “ “They got that right.  They have my number.” This is all about self talk.  We have found the enemy and it is ourselves.

So, how do we get up the courage to make that call, send that email, write that letter, mail the resume?

Here are the steps.

1. Just begin.  Do your research.  Make the call just to find out the exact person you might be contacting and their correct title and contact information.

Don’t get scared.  You don’t have to do anything yet.

2.  Get your materials together.  Anything you have that will show that you qualify for the position or assignment. 

Again, not pushing you.  This is just an exercise.

3.  Write your cover letter.

We are just practicing here.  No pressure.  We are not doing anything yet.  Maybe you will do it later.  Perhaps, you are not quite ready.

4.  Now you have your entire arsenal together.  Make sure it is perfect.  Especially the letter.  Make sure it sells benefits to the receiver.

5.  Put the whole project aside.  Put it in a manila folder for the future.

Now, some soul searching – What do I have to gain by not following through?

First of all, you can tell yourself that of course you could get that job.  It’s a slam dunk.  They would be crazy not to answer in a positive fashion.  You would gain never really knowing.

Next, you can think there is something much better for you out there.  You can wait for the absolutely perfect opportunity.  This one might not be it.  After all, isn’t that ideal opportunity supposed to find You? Isn’t that what your have heard from the Law of Attraction people? 

Then there are the things that are on your agenda right now.  There is a big occasion in the family coming up.  You might be moving. This is probably not the right time for a change.  It is probably better if you waited for a while.

The next question, obviously, is what do you have to gain by going for the gold now?

1.  They may say yes.

2.  If they do, you can see what the terms of their offer are.  It could not be for you after all.  But now you know for sure someone is interested.

3.  You may not have to decide immediately.  You will have some time to think it over.

4.  And, if they say no – you will be able to cross that one off the list instead of tormenting yourself that you have not gone after it.

5.  The practice of being brave and going after something will give you confidence in the future.

6.  You now have a complete package ready to go for the next opportunity. 

The last question is – are you willing to take the chance of finding out?

Hold your nose.  Jump into the deep water.  You know how to swim.

JUST DO IT! 

The worst thing that can happen is they will turn you down.  You can handle that.  Next?

Could it be that what holds you back is that you might succeed? 

Think about it.