Let’s get real for a second. You’ve got big dreams, right? You want to travel the world, start your own business, write that novel, or maybe just escape the soul-sucking vortex of your 9-to-5. But instead of chasing your passion, you’re sitting there, scrolling through Instagram, watching other people live the life you want.
Ouch. Yeah, I said it. And now that it’s out in the open, let’s fix it.
You know what’s holding you back? Fear. Fear of failure, judgment, being broke, looking stupid, or, worst of all, realizing that maybe you’re not as talented as you thought. (Spoiler: You are. Keep reading.)
If you don’t start NOW, you’ll wake up five years from today, still stuck, still scared, and still watching someone else live the dream that was meant for YOU. So let’s get you unstuck, shall we? Here are 12 powerful (and slightly sarcastic) ways to kick fear in the face and follow your passion like the fearless queen you were born to be.
1. Accept That You’ll Suck at First (It’s Part of the Process)
You’re not going to be an overnight sensation. No one is. Not even Beyoncé. (Okay, maybe Beyoncé.) But for the rest of us mortals, greatness takes time. Your first attempt at anything will be messy. Accept it.
ACTION STEP: Embrace the cringe. Do the thing badly. Keep going until you get good.
2. Stop Asking for Permission (Because No One Cares That Much)
Newsflash: No one is sitting around waiting for you to fail. Everyone is too busy worrying about their own life to judge yours. So why are you so scared of what people might think?
ACTION STEP: Give yourself the green light. If it makes you happy, do it. Period.
3. Identify Your Excuses (Then Laugh at Them)
“I don’t have time.” “I’m too old.” “I need more experience.” Blah, blah, blah. Sound familiar? These are excuses, not facts.
ACTION STEP: Write down your top 3 excuses and then destroy them. Literally. Burn the paper. Toss it in the trash. Do a dramatic reading and then laugh at yourself.
4. Find a Tribe That Won’t Let You Quit
Your environment dictates your success. If your friends roll their eyes when you talk about your dreams, you need new friends. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and hold you accountable.
ACTION STEP: Join an online community, take a class, or stalk (I mean, network with) people who are already doing what you want to do.
5. Make Failure Your Best Friend (It’s Not as Scary as You Think)
Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s the path to success. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.
ACTION STEP: Set a “failure goal.” Aim to get rejected, mess up, or try something wildly outside your comfort zone at least once a week.
6. Invest in Yourself (Yes, That Means Spending Money)
You’ll drop $100 on a random Zara haul but hesitate to spend it on a course that could change your life? Sis, make it make sense.
ACTION STEP: Set aside a “dream budget.” Invest in books, courses, coaching, anything that brings you closer to your passion.
7. Take Action Before You Feel Ready (Because You Never Will)
You think you need more preparation, more confidence, more something before you start? That’s a trap. The secret? Confidence comes from action, not the other way around.
ACTION STEP: Do one small thing today that moves you toward your dream. (Yes, today. No excuses.)
8. Ditch the Perfectionism (It’s Just Fear in a Fancy Outfit)
Perfectionism is fear’s bougie cousin. It convinces you that if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing. But guess what? Done is better than perfect.
ACTION STEP: Release one unfinished project into the world. Publish the blog post. Post the video. Share your work. Imperfectly.
9. Trick Your Brain with a 10-Second Rule
Your brain will talk you out of anything if you give it time. So don’t. Count down from 10 and do the thing before fear kicks in.
ACTION STEP: Next time fear whispers “wait,” count down from 10 and take immediate action.
10. Learn from the Pros (But Don’t Compare Yourself to Them)
Admire, study, learn, but don’t compare. Comparing your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 20 is a one-way ticket to self-doubt city.
ACTION STEP: Pick one mentor (real or virtual) to learn from, but focus on your progress, not theirs.
11. Use Tools That Make Success Easier
Let’s be real. The right tools can save you time, energy, and unnecessary stress. And if you’re serious about ditching fear and following your passion, you need every advantage you can get.
One of the best investments I’ve made? The Passion Planner (insert your affiliate link here). It helps you break down your goals into actionable steps, stay motivated, and actually make progress. Because a dream without a plan is just a wish.
ACTION STEP: Get yourself a Passion Planner (or another tool that keeps you accountable) and start mapping out your next move.
12. Commit Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Kind of Does)
At the end of the day, it all comes down to one question: How bad do you want it? You either commit fully, or you stay stuck in the same cycle of “what ifs.”
ACTION STEP: Make a bold declaration. Tell someone your plan. Post it online. Write it down and sign it. Make it real.
The Clock Is Ticking. What Are You Waiting For?
If you’ve read this far, you already know what you need to do. But knowing isn’t enough. Action is what separates dreamers from doers.
So here’s your next step:
Pick ONE tip from this list and do it right now
Share this with your fellow dreamers (because we all need a push)
Grab The Passion Planner (or whatever tool helps you take action) and start today
Because your dream life? It’s waiting for you to show up. And trust me, you don’t want to be the girl who almost made it.
