Dont fear your doubts and insecurities? ?Let them drive your life

Dont fear your doubts and insecurities? ?Let them drive your lifeDont fear your doubts and insecurities? ?Let them drive your lifeCriticism didnt really stop us and it shouldnt ever stop anyone - Paul McCartneyThe greatest strides and triumphs of our lives will come when we cast fears and insecurities to the side - by accepting them for what they are - and continue powering forward to what we want fruchtwein. As John Mayer once sang, fear is a friend whos misunderstood. But fear can also be an enemy. So as we experience the doubts and insecurities of life, we must learn how to harness the energy to both accept and reject fear.I watched one of my artistic heroes in delight last night on 60 Minutes as he discussed memories, fears, proudest moments and shockingly- insecurities. Few people would think of the greatest icon in the history of popular - and jupe n roll music - as a man who is insecure. And yet Paul McCartney, at age 76, welches here to tell us that hes human, too.Mc Cartney was asked what the biggest misconception about him is. Like most of us, well never really know of what others think of us. So, on its head, it was a curious question. But McCartney digested it, thought a bit and said,I dont know what people think about me. I can try and guess. Ill tell you what,You must have no insecurities.Just like anyone else, you have insecurities. Cause everyone has them. And no matter how high and great and wonderful you get, theres still something will make you worry.No matter how high and great and wonderful you get, there will always be worry. Even when youre the greatest the world has ever seen, you still doubt. Youre still insecure about whether your work, your thoughts or things that you do will resonate and matter. When youre dedicated to giving the world your absolute best, you will always care. Youll always worry.And thats OK. To fear is human. To worry is, too. Insecure?Arent we all?This is not a bad thing. The mora we disown our human nature , the more we struggle. The more we pretend that we can make it through life without worrying about the good and the bad, the less vulnerable we are. The less we are ourselves. And we should always try to live our best, boldest life - which is being ourselves and striving to get better everyday.ur job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it. - Steven PressfieldLife isnt about living someone elses life - and furthermore, its not about pretending to be someone that doesnt even exist. If you find yourself succumbing to fears and worries on your journey, take solace in the fact that the worlds most talented and successful people find themselves in moments of doubt, just like you and me.In fact, the more experienced you become in insecurity and fear, the better able you are at mastering it and launching the greatest growth moments of your life.How do I know? Ill tell you.Launching a dreamMy whol e life, I wanted to write a book. But I didnt just want to write a book to say that I was an author. It was never about that. Titles mean nothing. Impact is really what matters. I wanted to write a book that changed peoples lives, offered a glimpse into what it means to do what matters most, and to provide clear definition to why we do, what we do.The more I dedicated time to self-examination, to thinking of all of my biggest failures and mistakes, as well as my biggest victories and moments of progress, I found very deep meaning in what I needed to do. I motivated and inspired myself to make meaning of my life and to continue doing what I love most writing in an effort to help others.I was living my calling. And yet the closer I got to living my dream and publishing my book, The Value of You, the more fear set in. It was crazy. How could it be that the more I immersed myself in what meant everything to me, in certain respects, the more difficult it became? I didnt have an answer, a t the time. But I knew the intensity of the moment was real.Right before I was wrapping up the editing of the final chapters of my book, I was sitting at my dining room table staring at the screen. For all intents and purposes, I was finished. But I knew there was still just a little bit left. I could feel the doubt starting to set inYou cant finish this. Just leave it be. No ones going to care anyway. Youre not going to be a published author. No ones going to care.In a moment of epiphany that I can only describe as sublime, I snapped out of the moment, re-applied myself and powered through the rest of the editing. I was finished. The book wasnt yet published. But I had just completed living my dream. It was one of the most remarkable feelings Ive ever experienced, in part because I overcame the feelings of insecurity and doubt and smashed them in their face.You too will face fear when you commit to a consistent daily approach of doing great work - doing what you love. You must be prepared.The Battle of lifeIn his must-read book, The War of Art, Steven Pressfield talks about the biggest enemy (and sometimes catalyst) all of us will face in life fear. Fear is our lifelong companion. We cant shake it. So we might as well live with it. Pressfield asks a timeless question that all of us will need to answer time and time again,Are you paralyzed with fear? Thats a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.Fear, Insecurities, Doubt. It really depends on which side of the coin youre looking at.When I was in the doldrums of insecurity while struggling with anxiety, fear and low self-esteem - which included the loss of a job, the loss of a family member and rejections from publishers - thats when I really learned the most about myself. It was in those moments that I realized that fear is the bigg est fight and battle of our lives. And it will never end.If we succumb to fear, if we begin rationalizing the voice inside our head that tells us to give in to what we dont really want, we lose big time. We stop fighting and acquiesce, letting the wind take us whichever way it so pleases. We must keep up the fight, and while we wont always control every outcome, our effort to influence and embrace ourselves for exactly who and what we are at all times, is the epitome of what it means to triumph and persevere.Fear and insecurities are given life by the voice inside our heads. Its rare that it comes from others. And frankly, if youre finding yourself speaking with people who are making you more fearful and anxious, then cut them off. Eliminate those conversations from your life.Lean in and do what you really wantInsecurities are truly pushing us in the direction of what we really want. It sure doesnt seem that way, but take a step back and realize the way that you feel when you try to launch your dream and you find your mind leading you astray into doubt. It happens in the blink of an eye. Youll start to think you dont really want this thing that drives the passion inside of you each day.Please. Do what you want. Go after what you want with maximum effort and energy. If youre reading this and this resonates with you in your personal struggle, then know that this is your time to do that. Dont get caught up worrying about time or the *Im too old or Im starting too late or What if it isnt all that its cracked up to be or What if Im not as good as I think I am?Those excuses and rationalizations are all fear-based. Theyre bullsh-t.You may want to create your own website, write a book, perhaps you want to launch a new app that helps increase literacy among children, or maybe you just want to rock on the guitar and write a few songs.Paul McCartney will tell you that all of us struggle with insecurity. Its how we both proactively embrace fear, as well as how we react to moments of self-doubt that define our lives. When you view life through this lens, you begin to make the most of your human experience. I think youll look back and realize that youve learned a tremendous amount about yourself.Fear can break you, if you let it. But fear and insecurity can drive your life to do things that can literally change the world - and the lives of others for the better. Know your insecurities. Know your fears. Things that will help positively shape the rest of your life.Find your wayJoin my newsletterfor inspiring content. I share resources that will lead you to the life you most desire to live. If youre interested in working with me, pleasesend me a messageand let me know how I can help you.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.