Fear

What would you do if you weren't afraid?

What a question, yes?

I was reading a blog, one I read from time to time - Cathy Z and she had an entry last night about the last time you were fearless. The idea was generated from a moving letter she read in a scrapbooking magazine. It has had a powerful impact on her regular readers, and commenters.

I typically don't post on blogs of folks I don't know, I think it just feels odd that I haven't *met* them, so I didn't comment there, but I needed to make my own journal entry. (and hey, it's a fab topic for sure.)

This topic has come up often for me with regards to my work. On a business front, I am a different person than my personal front. I have very little fear personally. Sometimes, I would even guess that I venture far too close to that edge of fearLESSness.

From a business aspect, sales specifically, I have far more inhibitions. I am fearful mostly of what people will think of me. What I mean by that is this - will I present a solid level of knowledge of my product, from a clinical standpoint, am I smart enough to go "toe to toe" with a Physician in the OR, will I be able to answer the questions about their challenges with my product, etc.

The past year has been an incredible growth year for me. I am new to the arena of anesthesia, so I have been on a high speed train of learning. And with that, I have had to ignore the strong feelings of inhibition, because frankly, I have a job to do of which the success or failure of said job, directly affects my income. So, my fears have had to be put to bed, in many senses.

From all accounts, I have been successful with that. I have become more confident. I have learned an awful lot. I feel comfortable going "toe to toe" with Docs and CRNA's. I am not afraid to ask for the business.

But, it hasn't been easy.

When we've been in training (and this company I work for has a solid, yet evolving training program) I've gained knowledge, and more importanly at this point, confidence and strength. A question that they ask us all the time is"

"what would you do if you weren't afraid?"

So, for me, it has been a tremendously thought provoking, and deep soul searching kind of question from a professional standpoint.

I ask myself that question an awful lot. Cathy, if you read this (uhm, likely not) the last time I was fearless was this past year. Jumping in two feet to this new position (2 years soon ....) and finding the strength to not be afraid.

I hope I can instill in my kids to be fearless. It is a gift. It is a journey, too, however.

So, with that - what would you do if you weren't afraid?