Have you ever felt pulled in so many directions that you could not do anything well or to a level that meets your own standards? I can relate! For years, I worked as a performer, educator, and designer and finally achieved my dream of becoming a tenure-track professor. I was so excited to mentor young adults at the beginning of their education and careers! But, once I arrived, there were so many requirements outside of teaching that I couldn’t fully commit to what I felt I was there to do: mentor my students.

As I wrestled with the requirements of my job that were pulling me away from who I was there for — the students — I realized I wanted to find a way to spend more time doing what I feel I do best: helping people. It took a long time, and I had to work with and through my own fears to get here. I left my job in academia, but it took me a few years to venture out and start my business.  I feared that starting my own business would financially drain my family and take me away from them. I feared that I might fail, and I feared others might judge my choices.

But one day, in a moment of clarity, I realized something: fear had led me to inertia. I was following a pattern I had seen and worked through with many of my students. I allowed fear — fear of failure, fear of money, and the fear of starting my next chapter — to keep me from moving forward.

By identifying and naming what was holding me back (yes, I gave this fear a silly name, which I am happy to share with you when we work together), I could distance it from myself in a way that allowed me to move forward. And that is how Gentle Fearless began.

Does any part of this story sound familiar to you? Have you lived your own version of this? If so, let’s work together and help you move past it to take your next leap forward.