Anxiety Over Your Start Up Business?

Fairy Godmothers Carrie and Danielle’s wisdom on anxiety hits home to a lot of us women entrepreneurs. Maybe you have a lunch meeting today with a potential investor, financial stress, or maybe you’re trying to find a babysitter at the last minute–anything can trigger anxiety. For me it’s often how I handle my kids crying in the car! On a bigger level, I remember two years ago speaking in front of several thousand people for the Rice University business plan competition and my heart was pounding so hard I seriously thought I was going to have a heart attack. I had to take a moment before I started and pray to ask for strength to get through the moment and do my best. I felt peace instantly, my heart still pounded during the presentation, but I did well. We cannot have faith and fear at the same time.

Carrie and Danielle:

anx•i•e•ty
1. A state of uneasiness, uncertainty, and apprehension, as about future uncertainties – realistic or fantasized.

2. Eager, often agitated desire.

Sometimes anxiety can flare out of the blue, or in direct response to a thought or circumstance. Naturally, we want to get as far away from it as possible – which just gets us anxious about feeling anxious. What if we welcomed it when it showed up?

Danish philosopher Sören Kierkegaard believed that anxiety was actually a valuable tool (not an obstacle) for shaping our ideal lives. He taught that the remedy for anxiety is “to choose to be the self which one truly is.”

Today’s Magic Wand: Anxiety is a reminder to head home to your real self.

Notice it.
When you get the tummy trembles, struggle to catch your breath, or feel tangled in mind fuzz – just stop and notice. It’s ideal to be curious, rather than judgmental in your noticing. Don’t fight it. A simple “Hmmm, I’m feeling anxious” will keep you level.

Respect it.
When anxiety knocks, ask it, “What can I do for you?” You might get some surprising requests. Maybe your anxiety wants to go for a walk, sketch out a new plan, make a confession, or laugh hysterically. Or maybe it wants to smash plates, write a nasty letter, or holler hysterically.

Make a choice.
Which response to your anxiety would support the true you? Would laughing or plate-smashing expand or contract your being? Either might melt the jitters. Either way…

Anxiety is a road sign. You’re in the driver’s seat. Navigate by the light of your truth.