The Fear Factor
By
F.E.A.R = False Expectations Appearing Real
This was an old saying that one of my first mentors would always tell me and it finally began to sink in that we truly make fear within our own minds. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that the most debilitating fear factors we deal with in developing our businesses are the ones that we create ourselves.
Let’s take for example one of the most common fears in Network Marketing. The fear factor for this one is actually quite high in that there are a multitude of network marketing entrepreneurs who will do all of the right things to generate a lead only to blow it by allowing this fear factor to overcome their desire for success and change in their lives.
The fear of which I speak is the fear of following up with a potential business partner once you have shown them your business opportunity. Why do so many folks fear this? We as individuals ask for things every day. Why should asking for a decision be any different? What should it matter whether or not so and so joins us in whatever endeavor we are building? In reality it doesn’t.
We place this unnecessary burden upon ourselves by placing too much importance on what is going to happen if this person joins our team. We ask ourselves: “What if they say no? What if they say that I’m a fool for trying another one of those things? What if I can’t close them? What if they ask me how much money I have made? What if…what if.. what if.
What we have to keep in mind is that all of these things racing through our minds are truly only hypothetical situations which usually aren’t grounded in reality. The what if’s of life will really slow you down if you allow them to. They will break your spirit and cause you to lose your way down the path of success whether this be financial, spiritual, or physical achievement.
Networking Marketing is an industry that is sure to bring out the insecurities of even some of the most confident of us. If you haven’t already taken the time to understand the true reasoning behind your desire to build this type of a business then the fear factor can sometimes be insurmountable.
Your why is a truly powerful force in overcoming any objection that our minds might try and throw at us. Knowing that we are building a business to help others, provide for our families, experience true freedom, or any one of a dozen plus other reasons is an incredibly motivating force to overcome the fear factor of failure.
When you can take the focus off of yourself and TRULY focus in on the benefits that the other person will receive from your association, product, or opportunity then you will really come to realize in fact we are not meant to fear. We are meant to love.
To Our Success,
John
p.s.
If you have enjoyed this post I would really appreciate you retweeting it by clicking on the box below (there is an error with the green retweet button right now so don’t use it for the time being) and bookmarking it with the “Share This” button.
p.s.s
Special thanks to my friend and fellow marketer Matthew Neer. I was inspired to expand upon a post that I had written in reply to his latest blog.
21 Comments
September 18th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Great post John, you’re making the the world of business building a better place my friend! I would also like to say/add that detaching yourself from an outcome goes a long way in alleviating fear too. If you don’t really care one way or another whether someone “buys in” with you, then your fear of the outcome, either way, will disappear. I could go into posture too, but proper posture also will result when you detach from an outcome. You rock buddy, keep the good stuff flowing, we all need you!
.-= Scott Phares´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
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September 18th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Hey John, great post!
The average person with in our awesome industry as well as outside it has a constant buzz in their mind and subconscious. Typically, this Buzz is self defeating.
While wanting to do good (or for some it’s doing it perfectly) can be scary we must do what you suggest and that is simply come from a place of love and do the best we can.
The truth is people are going to judge you no matter what you say or do.
Be real and have fun. After all you can’t say the right thing to the wrong person and your can’t say the wrong thing to the right person so just say and do something!
While action is key. It’s important to set goals, take action review results and do over…set goals, take action and review results.
Thanks for your leadership!
You have a choice so, make it a better than terrific day!
Terry
.-= Terry Petrovick´s last blog ..Will you develop your business right the first time? =-.
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September 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Thanks John for another great post!
I actually just finished reading Matthew’s post on fear as well. It is a universal truth that we either overcome fear or we are overcome by fear. Finding the ability to overcome fear is oftentimes what will make or break you in business…and Network Marketing has a real way of drawing out of us these things that we have brushed aside for most of life…fear of being judged by others (as Terry says above) being one of the biggies.
You are so right when you talk about coming to an understanding of your “why.” Otherwise fear will absolutely take you down.
Thanks John
.-= Bruce Backman´s last blog ..9/11: Fear…Pain…Anger…Pride…Courage…Heroism…Unity… =-.
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September 19th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Wonderful Post, John. As I had said on Matthew’s post; we must turn around and face fear in the face….then it shrinks,then becomes small and then finally disappears! How great is that!
Thanks John.
Linda’s last blog: Seven Signs Your Polarities Are Reversed @
AbundanceIs.com
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September 19th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hey John! This is so true. I think the biggest reason for this fear stems from the fear of rejection. Nobody likes to hear the word no.
But what you said about taking the focus off us and transferring it to the fact that you are doing the other person a favor by introducing them to this great industry it changes everything.
We are really doing the other person a disservice by not following up.
Thanks John for the reminder.
.-= Debbie Wood´s last blog ..5 Tips to Build Your Business During This Holiday Season =-.
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September 19th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Hey John, If you take the approach that you are coming from offering an opportunity that can change peoples business and family life for the better, why wouldn’t you want to shout it from the rooftops?
If your doing your business right and by just being cognizant of this it’s my summation that it’s really a genuine alternative to the daily grind and the offer is also a genuine heart felt opportunity to help as long as your sincere and help the prospect grow their business.
It’s simply nothing more, nothing less.
Great post John. I’m Twitter BLASTING this.
Have a remarkable weekend.
.-= Chris Kilber´s last blog ..Your Chance To Win =-.
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September 20th, 2009 at 10:14 am
great post on fear john! it’s so funny, because we totally create the thing we fear when we fear it so much. imagine what we can create when we allow things. i like to say “everything is just as it is supposed to be.” life is about the journey, and not the end results. it’s so liberating to come from that perspective.
thanks for your post!
.-= Sue Vittner´s last blog ..Is Your Money Monster Stealing Your Spirit? =-.
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September 20th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheDoctorLinda, Becky Johnson and Paul Miller. Paul Miller said: RT @ChrisKilber: Who Cares? No FEAR here. | The Fear Factor | @johnchatman | http://bit.ly/CstyO [...]
September 20th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Hey John,
How true this is. I can relate to this post myself, thanks for sharing this.
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September 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
Great post John. What you resist persists. Always focus on the help you are providing to others. Thank you for all you do.
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September 21st, 2009 at 8:53 am
This is a great post. The fear of rejection really comes to play here. The key is to be confident about who you are and the opportunity you are trying to promote. People can sense fear and insecurity and will more than likely not join your business if you portray these qualities. Keep in mind when talking to prospects, you have what they need to change their life for the better. That is exciting! Let that excitement come through and fear will soon disappear.
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September 21st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Love your post, John! You’ve really “hit the nail on the head” with this perspective. Letting go of the emotional attachment to the outcome is key in growing your Network Marketing Business! Love your content-keep it coming!
.-= Lori Hanselman´s last blog ..Welcome To My World! =-.
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September 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
John,
Thanks for the shout out man. I’m glad I inspired you to write this post, it’s always an honor to know that my material effects as many lives as it does.
It simply just blows me away how many people just in my city alone have been deeply impacted by my writings or videos. It truly inspires me to do even greater things to keep empowering people in ways that I can’t even see right now.
Your content probably does the same thing whether you know it right now or not. But when that moment comes when someone tells you how much a certain article, video, or even tweet has impacted their life will honestly solidify why you do what you do. At least it did for me.
Thanks again brotha,
Matthew Neer
.-= Matthew Neer´s last blog ..Imagine Living a Life Without Fear =-.
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September 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Great site John and great analogy of FEAR!
I have re-tweeted this page I think it is awesome.
Talk soon
Joy
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September 24th, 2009 at 5:42 am
John,
You hit the nail on the head. I wonder how everyone’s life would change if fear did not exist and each person stepped into their true potential.
The Bible addresses fear in 2Timothy 1:7 –
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
For those who believe in the Bible, this is a great source of powere and strength to push past the fear limitations in your life and step into your abundant future.
.-= Beth Hawkins´s last blog ..Technorati Claim Post =-.
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October 1st, 2009 at 2:28 am
Hello John,
I can imagine that it is exactly what you highlighted today that is keeping so many from reaching their full potential.
And I LOVE what you mentioned during your message that if we could take the focus off ourselves and onto the other person instead, we would come a far way in overcoming our fears.
This is incredibly powerful content and VERY helpful.
Thank you for your empowerment, leadership, and inspiration.
Eirik Ringstad
.-= Eirik Ringstad´s last blog ..Is There A Purpose With Opposites? =-.
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October 12th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Hey John
That was a great post and it is something so many networkers face. Theydo not follow up because of fear. It is something that will totally hinder anyone from really building a successful business.
Thanks for sharing it.
Steve
.-= Steven Downward´s last blog ..Please, Don’t Fall Into This Trap With Your Home Based Business… =-.
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November 12th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Great post John! FEAR is the number one reason why the majority of people NEVER reach their full potential. If people would just learn to conquer their fears the world would be a much more productive.
Just think how many people go to their graves without ever giving their amazing talents, gifts, inventions, medicines, cures and inspirations to the world because they let FEAR stop them…
Keep posting dynamite content John!
Murry, A.K.A, “The Passive Income Genius”
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admin Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
You are absolutely right Murry. Your success is a perfect example of how you can turn a situation where due to the circumstances you were raised in no one would have thought that you would reach the success levels you have in life. It would have been quite easy for you to follow in the path of so many of your childhood friends and yet you persevered to the point where you at today.
Your an inspiration my friend.
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December 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hey John,
Thanks for this post. I found that “scheduling” a
call to a prospect helped me to not procrastinate.
In the beginning, if I knew I had someone interested,
I would put it on my calendar (even if it was just an
hour away) this way I could mentally prepare myself and
not “come up with other things to do” Then, after a few
calls, you begin to look forward to it!
.-= Theresa Moss´s last blog ..Royal Cruise Matrix – The Benefits Of Connections =-.
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December 9th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Fear is a motha isn’t it? Thank God that it disappears once you take action.. Thanks John, Great post.
.-= Jaime Morales´s last blog ..2009 Was Great But Here Is The Secret To Making 2010 A Greater Year =-.
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