Sometimes, Your Fear Means You’re Moving In The Right Direction

It means what you're doing excites you. It means what you're doing matters.

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Your fear might be holding you back. It might be trapping you in place. It might be convincing you to settle for what you already have because asking for anything more would cause trouble.

Although your fear might feel like a sign you’ve taken a wrong turn, you have to remember, there’s a certain type of fear that is healthy for you. The fear of applying for an exciting new position. The fear of taking another step further in your career. The fear of entering the unknown and moving ahead with your life.

Your fear doesn’t mean you’re unqualified or that you aren’t ready to make a change. It means that the change is important to you. You’re terrified because you want it to work so badly, because you care so deeply, because this matters to you, because it means something.

Sometimes, your fear means you’re moving in the right direction. It means you’re following your heart, chasing your goals, living out your dreams. It means you’re inching so close to success that you can taste it. It means that you’re doing what is best for yourself.

You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about how nervous you get in new situations. You shouldn’t feel like you’re out of your depths and made a mistake in even trying. You shouldn’t feel like you are destined to remain in one place because it’s too hard to take that next step forward.

You should feel proud of yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone. You should feel proud of yourself for choosing the right path over the simplest path. You should feel proud of yourself for taking a leap, taking a risk, taking a chance on yourself.

What you’re doing is beautiful. It’s something to be admired. You are refusing to settle for a mediocre life. You are searching for something greater. You are putting in the effort, putting in the hours.

The next time you feel overwhelmed by your biggest dreams, remember, it’s impossible to live without fear. It’s impossible to remain calm, cool, and collected at all times. However, as long as you’re choosing pathways that excite you, as long as you’re embarking upon journeys that you know are going to bring you happiness, then you should push your fear aside. Push your doubts aside. Push your reluctance aside.

You don’t want to keep putting off something important to you, simply because you’re nervous about what is waiting for you around the bend. You can’t fall back on procrastinating. You can’t wait until tomorrow to start crossing off items on your checklist. You need to chase after your dreams, even though it’s scary. You need to put effort into finding self-fulfillment, even if it takes you a while.

When your life is too comfortable, it could mean that you’re in exactly the right place. Or it could mean that it’s time to push yourself a little more, to branch out, to explore your limitless possibilities. Remember, sometimes, fear is a good thing. Sometimes, it means you’re heading in the right direction. It means what you’re doing excites you. It means what you’re doing matters. Thought Catalog Logo Mark