Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

Halloween is all about fun and scary things — haunted houses, spooky movies, ghosts that pop out when you least expect them. But we know those fears are pretend and are meant to be fun. They disappear the moment the lights come on.

But there are fears that don’t disappear as easily. These are the fears that live quietly inside us. The fears we carry about change, failure, being seen, or not being enough. Those are the ones that don’t go away when October ends. They can sneak into our choices, our dreams, and our confidence. 

I know that kind of fear well. I grew up as a very shy, quiet child — the one who would rather melt into the back of the classroom than speak up. I was afraid to raise my hand, afraid to draw attention to myself, afraid of being wrong or being laughed at. As I got older, those fears didn’t magically disappear, and I didn’t outgrow them the way many people said I would. They just changed shape. Instead of being afraid to talk in class, I became afraid of not fitting in. Of not having friends. Of being alone. Of failing. Of being made fun of. Honestly, I was one big ball of irrational fears — and for a long time, I let them run the show. They decided what I tried, what I avoided, and how small I kept myself.

Looking back, I realize I wasn’t weak or broken — I was just scared. Scared of being seen, of standing out, of getting it wrong. But giving in to our fears doesn't protect us the way we think it does. It may keep us safe, but it also keeps us stuck.

Here’s the truth: everyone has fears. No one gets a free pass. Even the people who look completely confident — the ones chasing big goals, starting new things, or speaking up with ease — feel fear, too. They’ve just learned not to let it stop them.

Fear usually shows up when we’re standing somewhere new — on the edge of growth, change, or possibility. Starting something new? Scary. Trying again after a setback? Scary. Sharing your ideas, changing direction, or taking a risk? Definitely scary.

But if you wait until you’re not afraid, you might never take that first step. The truth is, courage doesn’t come from getting rid of fear — it comes from moving with it. It’s saying, “I’m scared, but I’m doing this anyway.” Because here’s the secret: fear loses its power the moment you take action.

I’ve seen it in my own life, over and over again. Every time I pushed past that lump in my throat or that voice telling me not to do it, something amazing happened. Not because it was easy, but because I did it anyway. Each time I faced fear head-on, I grew a little stronger and a little freer.

Every time you move forward, even a little, you are building the proof you need that you can handle fear. And that proof starts to stack up. You begin to trust yourself more. You start to realize: I can feel fear and still make progress. That’s how confidence is built — not from never feeling afraid, but from learning you can keep going anyway.

So this Halloween as you see all the pretend scary things, maybe it’s a good time to think about the fears that are real — and what they might be keeping you from. What dream have you been putting off because it feels too big? What conversation are you avoiding because it makes you uncomfortable? What change are you resisting because it’s uncertain? Whatever it is, take one small step toward it. 

Let the fear come along for the ride if it has to — just don’t let it drive. Fear is part of the journey, not the end of it. It’s a sign that you’re alive, growing, and moving toward something that matters. Fear can hold you back... but it can also push you forward. 

In my Fear Management Workbook, I'll show you how to harness your fears and turn them into assets for growth.

So feel the fear — and do it anyway. You’ll be amazed at how brave you already are.