• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER » Motivational Speakers Are Scared To Death Too

in BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Motivational Speakers Are Scared To Death Too

Last updated on May 20th, 2013 at 11:31 am

Motivational Speakers Are Scared To Death Too: Kelly Swanson Cartoons

Motivational Speakers Deal With Fear Every Day

We often think that reaching our dreams is a matter of being good enough, having the talent, getting noticed, being in the right place at the right time, being better than the others, working the hardest, or knowing the right people. While all of these might play a part, I think that what really stops many women from going after their dreams is good old-fashioned FEAR.

Even motivational speakers fight fear on a daily basis. I hear it over and over again in the letters I receive from women all over the United States:

I Know What I Want – But I’m Afraid

Fear is a normal human emotion that all of us feel when faced with a new dream.  Our brain is trained for alarm when anything pops up outside of our normal comfort zone. When we see a zebra with pink stripes, our brains says “Stop! This is not normal. This is wrong. This does not calculate to what we have been trained to see as a zebra.” 

Our mind takes in data at a rapid rate and processes it for us. So of course when we see something new, our reaction is to say, “Stop! This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.” Probably why it takes so long to break a habit.

Our comfort zone is made up of all things, well, comfortable. The routine, the path we are accustomed to, the way we’ve done it for years. It’s why so many people fight change – it feels weird. And it’s not comfortable.   And when you are standing on the ledge, staring into the unknown, of course it’s hard to jump.

We like safe. And nothing about dreaming is safe.

Many times fear is disguised behind excuses like:

  • I’m just too busy.
  • I don’t have what it takes.
  • I don’t have enough money.
  • I’m just not talented enough.
  • I don’t know what to do.
  • My family thinks it’s dumb.
  • I probably won’t be very good at it.

Don’t beat yourself up for being afraid.  Honor and embrace the emotion.

Fear comes in many disguises. Take the mask off and find the reality. What is it you are REALLY afraid of?

It’s important to get to the root of your fear. Maybe it really is that you are afraid you aren’t good enough. Fine. Look at it in the eye. Face it.

I think what we often really fear is:

  • the unknown
  • getting our hearts broken
  • rejection
  • looking silly
  • not being good enough in the world’s eyes
  • or actually having it come true

Face the fear for what it is. Decide that you will not let it own you – but that you will own it.

I know, easier said than done. Don’t wait until you feel brave enough. You never will. To face your fear is not to make the fear go away – but to jump anyway. To acknowledge that this fear might actually come true – you might actually fail. See yourself rejected. See yourself not making it. And see that it’s not so bad. Do you still want it bad enough to try? Are you willing to risk the consequence?

Make Your Dream Bigger Than Your Fear

And then just jump. Do it. Take the step. Make the move. ACT. Don’t wait for the safety net. Move. Know that you might mess up right away. Get over it. Dust yourself off and keep going. Take another step. And then another one.  Don’t be driven by the fear – you drive it.

Fear is a story you write. And as the author, you have the power to write a different story where the main character is brave.

Act brave. Think brave.

And one day you will feel brave.

Are you ready?

Take my hand and we’ll jump together . . .

1 . . .

2 . . .

3 . . .

motivational speakers jump

Kelly

Related Stories:

  • How the Death of Osama Bin Laden Made America's Dream Come True
    How the Death of Osama Bin Laden Made America's…
  • 8WD-post
    Motivational Speakers Get More Business When They…
  • national speakers association
    Why Public Speakers Should Join The National…
  • It's Easter and I'm Too Embarrassed To Admit My Dream
    It's Easter and I'm Too Embarrassed To Admit My Dream
Kelly Swanson
Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, motivational speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and cast member of The Fashion Hero television show airing on Amazon Prime. She is also the author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale, The Land of If Only, The Story Formula, and The Affirmation Journal for Positive Thinking. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines, keynote speaker for the International Toastmasters Convention, and has keynoted major conferences and corporate events from coast to coast. She just launched her one-woman show Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale in theaters, and it is being booked all over the country. In July of 2022, she was inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« How to Deal with Loss When you are Dreaming Big
Would you Nominate me for National Geographic Traveler of the Year? »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT