When you are about to do something bold, innovative, or impactful, you’ll feel fear. And there will probably be some people adding their voice to the voice of fear that’s already inside you.

“It won’t work. Who do you think you are? What if it fails? Nobody will notice. Nobody does that. You might get hurt.”

Naysayers aren’t sharing useful information from their experience taking similar risks. (That’s putting it very politely, don’t you think?) For one reason or another, they want you to abandon bold ambition and join them in fear.

Voices of fear will always be present, no matter how good the idea, no matter how well-prepared you are, no matter how promising the opportunity. They are normal. They are not a sign you are about to make a mistake.

Don’t ask the voices of fear for guidance. They are against proactivity of all kinds, and they don’t have any information about your actual prospects. Look to information, analysis, trial and error, and especially the voices of others who dare to engage in work that matters, for clues about the viability of what you are attempting.

The best answer to the voices of fear is to do scary things and live to tell about it.