I am reading a bit about fear, how it works both to give you a boost and to paralize your efforts. I personally really like to focus on the positive side of things, which would be that boost factor I just mentioned. Most of the material I have read talks about a more mental shift and the inner working behind the emotion of fear itself. I think this makes for an interesting read, however, I have always had the mental mindset of action erases fear. I’m sure I read this somewhere, or, maybe it’s even some major quote and I’m lacking some serious props to someone. Whatever the case (sorry John Doe), I personally know the phrase is true. Action erases fear.
Let’s take this a step further and talk about clarity mixed in with action. Have you ever tackled a project without really knowing what your end result is or why you’re doing it? How well did that go for you? Big results? I’m guessing it went neither well nor had anyone writing your digits down in a book. Now think of a project that had clear action to the plan. You knew step-by-step what happened, why it was happening, who was responsible for it and how it was going to work to get you big results. Did that go differently? Were you more successful? I think so.
This is how I relate to marketing plans. I have talked to many business owners who have never done or stuck with a marketing plan. Not every time, but lots of times, the root of this lack of activity has come down to fear. Fear of thinking big, fearful of putting something out there you must obtain, fear of taking big steps to propel your company forward. However, stir in a good marketing plan with actionable steps each month toward that big vision and you have much less anxiety, much less fear and much more success. It’s seriously ingenious how simple taking a big goal and working backward from it can make marketing, or any planning, very simple, obtainable and clear. What makes this even better is that with clarity comes a whole new emotion. Let me introduce you to Mr. Excited.
When most people know what they are suppose to do, with a clear path in place, they get super jazzed. I know this is true for me! Then, once you’re exicted about the work ahead, you get some momentum, because you’re ready to tackle it, step-by-step. Then, I dare say you begin to see results!
A well thought-out plan, along with a healthy dose of action, really does erase the fear. So go ahead and dream up that big vision. Just plan it out and tackle it one step at a time.
