The Day Fear and Awe Felt Like the Same Thing
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Unsplash: Photo Chris Babalis
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I want to tell you about the time I was the most terrified I’ve ever been in my career.
The year was 1999 and I had started my first business - a PR firm I named Extraordinary Work Group. I’d just landed a dream client — Microsoft’s Healthcare Industry Solutions Group. My long-time friend at a larger PR agency referred me. I had healthcare media relations experience having worked at a hospital for eight years.
My first project was to represent the Microsoft Healthcare Group at a large healthcare technology trade show. Seven thousand people were invited. A celebrity speaker, trade media, healthcare industry analysts, and executives who had been in this world for decades.
I had no experience handling an event this large.
I didn’t know how to handle the logistics of a large trade show.
I didn’t know how to manage media at that scale.
I’d never worked with analysts who had seen every PR person’s pitch and forgotten most of them before they left the room.
I remember standing at the edge of it all and feeling something I can only describe as imposter syndrome. I was excited to be working at this level. It was what I wanted, but I experienced high anxiety at the same time.
My client and I were backstage talking minutes before the event began.
“How many trade shows have you managed?” asked the Microsoft manager.
“This is my first one,” I said.
“Oh my God, you’re drinking from the fire hose,” he exclaimed loudly.
I had a moment of panic standing there quaking in my heels. Adrenaline rushed through my veins and flooded my body.
Fear flashed through my mind and said, You can’t do this!
Then my higher Self said to me, “You can do this. You have healthcare and media experience.”
I got to work. I introduced my clients to the news media and industry analysts and held briefings. It was a big success.
Afterwards, when the manager and I debriefed. I told him something bold as a new contractor.
Give me one year to build the media and analyst relationships. In year two, they will be calling us for interviews.
I believed I could do it in my bones.
I did the work. I showed up. I learned what I didn’t know by doing it afraid.
The first year I developed relationships and was helpful to the news media and analysts.
And in year two — the media called.
I’ve been thinking about that story this week because I turned another year older.
Remember this: You are never ready. You have to take a leap of faith.
You can do it! Just manage your self talk and put in the work.
My birthday Annual Subscription Savings - 30% off until March 12.
Our first High Road Gathering is March 17.
Annual and monthly subscribers are invited.
You still have time to join until Thursday, March 12.
High Road Gathering - Fear is Your Rocket Fuel. Freedom is Your Reward.
Thursday, March 12
12:00 pm Pacific / 3 pm Eastern / 7 pm UK / 8 am Friday NZ
This will be an intimate, sacred Zoom gathering exclusively for paid subscribers. We’ll open with a prayer of release, spend ten minutes with the topic of fear — I’ll share what I’ve learned about fear and then I’ll offer you prompts to reflect on and write. Then we will share what you want to share with the rest of the group.
The topic is fear. Not because fear is the enemy.
Because fear and awe are often the same feeling—and learning to tell the difference can change everything.
To join us, you’ll need to be a paid subscriber. This is the first of many Gatherings I will hold for paid subscribers.
And because this is my birthday week, I’m offering a special rate through Monday, March 12 till 9 pm PDT.
🇺🇸 Pacific: 12:00pm
🇺🇸 Mountain: 1:00pm
🇺🇸 Central: 2:00pm
🇺🇸 Eastern: 3:00pm
🇬🇧 UK: 7:00pm — UK doesn’t change until March 30, so they’re still GMT, still a reasonable evening
🇳🇿 New Zealand: 8:00am Friday — NZ doesn’t change until April 6, still workable
I want you there!
One question to sit with before we meet:
What has fear been keeping you from that would bring you the feeling of freedom?
Leave it in the comments. I read every single one.
With love, Sherold