I had to leap. And I know now that I had to do it so that I could do it again when the time comes and it will come. Each time I face down the unknown and jump – whether big or small; no matter how many times I change my mind, turn back, go in circles – fear loses more of its grip on me. Each time I jump, my life expands: the decision to act unlocking a hidden door that leads to new paths and worlds I never imagined.

When you read the words “fear of failure”, what do you begin to think about? What images come to mind? What exactly do we fear when we have a fear of failure?

For me, fear of failure was always one big... blob. A weighty, nebulous, obscure, murky, clump of fear.

I never knew what lay beneath it. Despite having my own business and operating as an independent contractor/consultant for almost 10 years, I could never shake it. It would haunt me when I a contract ended unexpectedly or when it took me longer than I thought it would to get a new gig. I never had to battle it for too long though as I’d built up a solid reputation in my field so new work was never too far afield.

If you asked me then, I would’ve said I was lucky to not have to face that fear for too long. Now, I’m not so sure.