Life Plan - Deconstructing Your Fears

Instructions

Seneca laid out three steps to help people manage their fears: 1) Define the worst thing that could possibly happen if you took a particular action; 2) Write down all the precautions that you can take to protect yourself from your fears; and 3) Describe what you would do to return to your current state of normalcy if you fail. You‟ll work on each step for this learning experience.

 1. Describe the worst thing that could possibly happen if you took a particular action. Name the action or decision related to pursuing your calling that you fear the most.

The worst thing that could possibly happen if I moved into management at my current job is that no one will take me seriously and I will not be able to be a good leader.

2. That was a great start. Now start filling in the left column of the chart below, listing at least four fears, however, irrational they may be. Pick fears that you can act on. Chances are none of these things that terrify you will actually take place, but why take the chance?

3. In the chart’s second column, detail your risk mitigation strategy for each fear. What can you do to keep these things from ever happening? Write your strategy for minimizing the effects of the worst-case scenario.

 4. Now, in the far right column, make a list of how you could claw your way back to the status quo, should your worst-case scenario happen. How difficult would it be for you to get back to normal? How many months would it take?

Seneca knew that most of us are capable of quickly finding our way back. Fear creates the fabrication that you could lose everything. In fact, history is replete with stories of entrepreneurs who restored their fortunes after the collapse. If your affiliate marketing venture fell flat, you could likely lick your wounds and return to an engineering job, perhaps even in the firm you left.

                

Your Fears	Deconstructing Your Fears Your Fear Strategy to Mitigate Risk	Way Back to the Status Quo
People will laugh at me	I will show confidence	I would continue to show up for work and I would work hard to show my peers that I am good enough for this job.
I will lose my job	I will perform good work	I would start looking for a new job immediately and I would start calling everyone I know to see if they know of job openings that I could apply for.
I will lose my family and home	I will always hold FHE and spend family time with them	I would ask my family to come to family counseling. I would try to spend quality time with them and have FHE together. I would try to find a decent apartment to move into until we get back on our feet.
I won't be able to find work	I will start searching for a new job immediately, even if it's not in management	If I can't find a job I would start mowing lawns, shoveling walks, and cleaning houses for others.
Any others? I will not have a steady income	I will go to a temporary agency daily to work until I find something permanent	If I don't have a steady income I would go to labor ready and start looking for a new permanent job as soon as possible to get my steady income back.  In the meantime. I would alleviate all of my "not needed" bills. (cable, phone, the internet, and so on)

Reflection Questions

 After you have completed the learning experience, record your observations to the following questions in your journal.

1. If you pursue your calling with discipline, intentionality, and the help of fellow travelers, what are the chances that your worst case scenario will really happen?

My worst case scenario would probably not happen.  We are all grown-ups and laughing and teasing is not likely to happen.

2. As you look at your list of fears, what themes emerge? What is at the core of what you really fear? Financial ruin? The judgment or disapproval of others? Physical harm? Endangering the ones you love? Embarrassment?

Confidence and courage.  I really fear that I will be treated the way I was treated when I was in elementary, middle, and high school. I fear financial ruin a lot because my spouse has said he would divorce me if I'm not working full-time all the time.  I think that if I fail my family will think very little of me and may not want me around anymore. I do not think physical harm would come to me if I lost my job.  I can always move in with my twin sister if I am homeless. I do not think my loved ones would be in danger.  The embarrassment would be horrible with my spouse.  He's the one that I most want to please.

3. What is the risk of taking no action – not following your calling? How do you plan to deal with fear when it pops up on your entrepreneurial journey?

If I do not follow my dreams in being a manager then I will feel like I am not smart enough to move up in my company. I plan to pray a lot and ask for the confidence I will need to pursue my career choices.