Check out last week’s newsletter: Six Years Ago I Had No Idea

DO IT AFRAID

Facing your fear is the difference between achieving success and living in mediocrity.

Mediocrity is often just an excuse to not try because we’re afraid to fail.

That fear of failure has a tendency to hold so many people back from their potential.

Fear can hijack your emotions and cause you to stick with something that’s familiar, even if it’s not working. It could be a job, a relationship, or even the route you take to work. As humans, we are creatures of habit and it takes a lot of effort to do something new—but when we do, it creates new neural pathways. These pathways allow us to connect ideas like we never would have before, leading to a new life that never seemed possible.

I posted an Instagram story a few days ago where I shared briefly about F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real). It’s not something I came up with, but it’s something I’ve adopted; I challenge my fears whenever they come up.

The reality is that we’re always going to have some sort of fear; otherwise, courage wouldn’t be necessary. We make our fears much bigger in our heads until it feels like the end of the world, but the truth is that as long as you’re still breathing, it’s not over yet.

We love a comeback story for others, but we don't always recognize when we can be a comeback story for ourselves. The “secret” to overcoming fear is to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. It could be:

• Applying for that job.

• Asking for a promotion.

• Setting boundaries in a relationship.

• Simply trying a new food.

It can be as big or as little as we want it to be, but the more opportunities we take to do something that stretches us, the easier it becomes. We can take those "data points" and transfer them to harder challenges to prove to ourselves that change is possible because we’ve done it before!

We often overestimate how long it will take to see results when we’re consistent. When we put in the work and keep trying even when we fail (because it’s inevitable), that makes all the difference!

Being intentional about facing your fears is one way you can Be Incredible!

TL;DR: Facing fear is the essential bridge between settling for mediocrity and achieving true success. While our brains naturally cling to the familiar, challenging the "False Evidence Appearing Real" (F.E.A.R.) allows us to build new neural pathways and expand our potential. By intentionally leaning into discomfort—whether through career moves, setting boundaries, or trying something new—we collect "data points" that prove growth is possible. Ultimately, consistency and the courage to keep moving despite being scared are what transform a stagnant routine into an incredible comeback story.

STREAM THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

Get ready to be inspired by Melanie Miles, a powerhouse in STEM, leadership, and empowerment. She’s navigated a 20-year energy career, reimagined her life, and is now on a mission to lift women in STEM into their rightful power. This episode is packed with bold insights, real talk, and practical steps to transform your career and life. Melanie’s surprising journey into engineering, guided by her mom and a career counselor

KEY TAKEAWAYS
How leadership is a thread that runs through every success, regardless of industry
The power of intentionality, self-awareness, and taking control of your career path
The “Give A Damn Meter”: managing energy, avoiding burnout, and maintaining care
Actionable tips on building visibility: LinkedIn, volunteering, community involvement
The importance of failure as a data point, not a setback

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