Fear of risk is one of the mindset areas I have worked on so much myself and with clients. We know intellectually that we want to uplevel and become a positive influence, but our fear of risk keeps us stuck. One foot on the accelerator and one foot on the brank. This strategy ends up making you feel like you are stuck.
Understand two things:
First, women have been hardwired to fear for our safety, and our conditioning has reinforced this constantly growing up. “Don’t climb too high on the playground” or “you can’t walk home alone at night.” A consistent stream tells us that danger is all around, so stay safe and don’t take risks. This strategy becomes particularly self-sabotaging when women begin their own businesses or decide to expand and make more money. To grow, however, you need to invest money and time, and the fear of risk prevents this.
Secondly, It’s not a money mindset block per se; it’s actually the fear that we can’t do it. We don’t have what it takes to scale and build. So we project images of doom and scarcity of not having enough money. We believe we will fail and, therefore, will be unsafe.
Can we change this fear?
Yes, we can change it, but we have to recognize what is holding us back. Awareness is the first step to change. The fear of risk is an old belief system from millenniums of being told women are weaker and in danger. We can rewire this block but first realize that we have always survived and thrived and figured out how to prosper even if the history books don’t highlight this. Women always built and ran businesses and organizations but used their male relatives as a ‘front.’ We have the brains to figure out what we don’t know already.
You also must ‘do.’ Taking action and getting out of your comfort zone is the key to success. You learn as you do and reinforce that you have the ability and skills to grow. Think of all the times you didn’t know what to do but learned on your feet. This is true in business too. If you don’t know, you can also get help!
I just interviewed Rebecca Hamilton on my podcast; a millionairess baker boss who has no formal education started her business in the basement with only a $5000 grant and was not brought up to believe she has what it takes to be a success. But, within a few short years of hard work and tons of personal development work and clearly defined goals, Rebecca has many bakery locations and big bucks in the bank. She’s living her dream. You can live yours too.
Set your goals
Work smartly
Do your mindset work
