First you dream about the thing you will build, the impassioned work you will do, the mark you will make. Then comes a moment when you have a choice: launch it, or veer off, loop back, and keep dreaming.

Crossing that line into launch commit is terrifying. Fear amps up as the line approaches, and hits full panic shortly after.

Multiple past successes will not let you skip the fear. Thorough preparation (a good idea) won’t get you a fear pass. Neither will being really smart, likable, financially ready, and otherwise cleared for takeoff by all rational accounts.

I talk to people almost every day who have all those things, and the fear surrounding launch commit is still intensely real. Fear is an integral part of doing things that matter.

I only know two ways to keep the fear at bay. Live a smaller life than you dream of, or stare the fear right in the eye and hit the launch button. Stand in the gale force fear for a while. Succeed, fall flat, or muddle through. And discover that behind all the stomach-churning special effects, fear’s got nothing.

photo credit: pobre.ch