Moving Forward While Scared

Scared… that is how I am feeling… last night after hours of research, on starting a private practice, that ventured into early morning, I placed my laptop on its stand, closed my notebook and put away my pen…then, I inhaled deeply and exhaled with a fountain of tears flowing from my eyes.. I was scared.. I am scared.

I began to think of every profession I had since I left corporate America. Every last one took me on this same path. The path of figuring out many things on my own, reading endless articles, books and in recent years, posts and watching videos on how to do what I was setting out to do. Not to mention, taking various courses and end of semester exams, getting certifications and passing state exams.

You see, when I left corporate America, I opened a home daycare, I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I needed to be the primary caregiver for my baby. Starting my own home daycare business was how I would be able to do it, while helping to support my family financially. Somewhere in the middle of that season, three babies later and years of caring, teaching and loving many children and supporting their families in my capacity as a licensed home daycare provider, I felt the call to co-found a non-profit with my husband, Patrick (I thank God for my husband, he has ventured with me on every new path). There I was again clueless about what I was diving into but determined to do it. Several years later, the organization, Princesses and Ladies Inc., is thriving.

Now that I am clinically licensed, I am ready to start accepting clients in my private practice… I am so concerned about ensuring that all Ts are crossed and all Is are dotted, when it comes to the business aspect of the practice, it has me dreadfully scared… scared that I have missed something and will miss something..

Still, I am moving forward while scared. I went to bed after I shed my tears, then I got up later and completed another task on my list of to-dos for the practice. I purchased the needed insurance. Afterwards, I took a moment to celebrate my small win.

Listen, if you have not done at least one thing in your life that you were scared about doing (a positive thing that is), you are not living your life fully on purpose. You have not made an attempt to get to what Maslow called, Self Actualization, meaning, you have not attempted to meet your full potential. It is at the very top of the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs. It is said that most humans will not get to this level and for valued reasons. Too many people are in dire positions where they can only focus on the most basic needs: food, water and shelter. While others are working on their safety and security. There are those who are at the sense of belonging and love stage. Further up the ladder are those who are working on self- esteem where there is respect for self and others… most of those who get here, will stop here… However, no matter where you currently are, when possible, think about and act on doing something while scared that will help to get you to a better you.

Go ahead, do it! You can and you will! Move forward while scared. .. and as you are moving forward while scared, remember to celebrate all your wins!