We’ve all got them.

Every single one of us have those pesky voices that persist in telling us that we aren’t good enough, aren’t organized enough, aren’t capable enough, aren’t charismatic enough.  All of us have voices that creep in every day to remind us that we’re not extraordinary enough to stand out from the crowd, that we aren’t unique enough in our craft to be noticeable … that we are just noise, just another voice, just another project contributed to a sea of projects.

It’s one thing to hear the voices, it’s another to believe them.  If you’ve stopped because you’re convinced that your fear is right, if you’ve paused because the obstacles are too large, if you’ve backed away because it became difficult …  you’ve placed your trust in the voices.  You are validating the fear, believing that what the fear says is accurate.  You are betting that fear has correctly predicted the outcome.  And, you are losing out, because your fear has convinced you that it is not possible.

Sure, the dream may not be feasible or sensible right now.  But what if it is possible?

What if you believed in possible, rather than hid behind fear?  I think that your most beautiful work would finally be seen, noticed, talked about, purchased … that your work would make a difference.  Yes, fear will always be around.  Even if you become successful at your craft or live out your calling, the voices will always persist.  With dreams come risk, and with risk comes fear.  But, you don’t have to allow fear to control you.

I, for one, would rather believe in something more promising than what my fear is selling.  What about you?  What are you holding back because you’re afraid?