Running a business often means navigating a rollercoaster of uncertainties.
There are moments of excitement, sure.
But we often find ourselves travelling with a silent partner in the journey.
Drum roll… Anxiety.
I don’t know a single entrepreneur who hasn’t had it in some degree.
I used to live in that space— it’s not pleasant.
Stop for a second and imagine —how wonderful would it feel to part ways with this partner, so you can fully enjoy the journey?
Reality Check — The Rollercoaster Can’t Be Avoided
Alright, I might have teased you with the notion of waving goodbye to anxiety forever.
But let’s be real – entrepreneurship’s like a rollercoaster, and those dips are just part of the ride.
Also, they make you human.
The bad news is: anxiety can’t be kicked out forever.
And here’s the good news: we can invite it much less to the party.
Plot Twist: Anxiety is Not the Villain
For the better part of my existence, I waged a personal war against my ever-present companion Anxiety.
It became like a loyal shadow that refused to leave my side, no matter where I went or what I did.
The more I pushed back, the more it persisted.
And boy, did I resent it.
But here’s the plot twist—I was casting anxiety as the villain in my life.
How mistaken I was.
A (Misunderstood) Friend in Disguise
Anxiety isn’t the enemy.
It’s a sneaky guardian, working behind the scenes to keep you on your toes.
In our human experience, anxiety is like a built-in safety feature.
Its job? To protect us from potential threats and uncertainties.
Sure, its ways might not be subtle.
The sweaty palms, the racing heart—like the persistent beep of a seatbelt alarm, it can get irritating.
But despite its not-so-cool tactics, anxiety means well.
It’s a friend who wants to save your life.
“Dealing With” vs. Understanding
I tried everything to “deal with” my anxiety.
Therapy, positive thinking, meditation, journalling, coaching and advanced NLP techniques.
They helped. Temporarily.
Anxiety would always come back. It was like it had only left on vacation and needed to catch up.
I was so tired of it that sometimes I just gave up and allowed it to take over. But that didn’t feel nice either.
And then…
I understood its nature.
I understood it was just a well-meaning friend.
And I also understood you don’t always need to take the advice of a friend. No matter how well-meaning they are.
When you understand that, it makes less sense to try to “deal with it”.
You just allow it to be, while giving it less attention.
And, paradoxically, it eventually starts to back off by itself.
I’m aware this can sounds simplistic, but…
…What if it really is that simple?
