Hi, my name is Aisyah and I'm a fearoholic.
Hi Aisyah!
I just finished a meeting with a business partner. I'm trying to learn how to do sales and his company has this amazing program where he engages stay at home moms and basically anyone interested to earn some extra income to do sales for his training programs. To be honest, the remuneration is okay, not great, but I'm more interested to learn how to do sales, you know, just for the sake of learning and acquiring the skill. I told myself that there is only win-win here, I learn a new skill for free and I make some money on the side. How bad can it be? Boy, was I wrong!
The first meeting we had was about a month ago and since then, I have done nothing. Zilch, nada. Not one phone call, I didn't even read the materials we are supposed to read for the training. I was procrastinating and feeling lazy, but deep down I recognize this feeling as fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of not being good enough.
I've always been the best at what I do. Since I was 7 years old, I had been the smartest person in class, always sweeping up the awards for ALL subjects at the end of year school recognition. I don't know how to not be the best. In my career now, I always make sure I give my all when I do interpreting, that's why I'm one of the best in the game, and in business too, I provide impeccable, top tier services.
When it comes to sales, my friend made me realize that it's not about me. So what if I call someone and they say No? I get to move on and make the next call. For this particular training course, there are 100 hospitals I can call and sales being a number's game, statistically I will hit jackpot as long as I keep calling. It is not about me. He said that as human beings, our ego is so huge and can be a stumbling block if we're not careful.
So yes, that's lesson number 1. The second thing I realized today was that in order to overcome this fear (or at least own up to it and do something about it) is to do it in a group. Years of solitary freelance work had made me a bad team player and I forgot that together we are stronger. I didn't want to go to the meeting today, but I respect my friend so much the thought of canceling on him is not something I entertained. When I got there, he was busy with something else and left me alone for 20 minutes. I know him well though, he was giving me space to breathe and compose myself, to get my head in the game. Bless your soul dear friend! We did some work and I saw how simple this thing is :-) I don't want to jinx it and say I'm excited or anything, but I feel better, I feel more ready now.
I'm sending you a lot of love and light my friend, thank you for your patience and infectious 'zen'ness.
Peace, Aisyah out!
