Often, the biggest obstacle standing in the way of us and our success is ourselves. Reaching the next level requires as much losing the fear as it does the hard work
When it comes to anything we do in life – our jobs, our hobbies, our relationships, our friends – it’s easy to take the route of slow growth. Sometimes, it’s even better that way. Slow and steady progress allows us to develop foundational skills, build endurance, and maintain a sustainable pace.
Other times, though, staying in the shadows only drags out the process, hinders our confidence and harms our potential in the long run.
Do we want to be just “okay” or do we want to be truly great? How do we know the extent of our capabilities if we never put them to the test?
At work that may look like signing on for a challenging project, or taking the training wheels off and stepping up to the plate. In our personal lives, it could mean having a difficult conversation, starting a new hobby, or pursuing a long-held dream we’ve been hesitant to chase.
At Easton, that might look like signing up for your very first competition. For some, it’s rolling with a higher belt or stepping into a sparring round they’d usually avoid. For others, it’s as simple as walking into the academy for the first time, facing the unknown and choosing to embrace it. In both cases, you find yourself in a sink or swim scenario, and the only way is up
A lot of the time, we’re actually more prepared for something than we think. It’s the fear of failure and our own self-doubt that keep us stuck – hovering between what is and what could be and never springing forward.
[Creating Space in the Face of Pressure]
Reframing failure to take the leap
But what if we reframed failure? Instead of viewing it as an endpoint, we see it as a stepping stone – a chance to gather information, refine our approach, and try again.
Sometimes we can feel it in our chest – that tightness that seizes when you don’t step up. Some may think it’s just the fear, but it’s actually the sense of disappointment and resignation – knowing you misstepped in a way that passes on your own greatness.
That tightness often comes with regret: “What if I had just tried?” It lingers longer than the initial fear, making us wish we had embraced the opportunity instead of shrinking away from it.
Imagine your life if you didn’t doubt yourself! Of course, sometimes you fail. You’ll try your best and come up short…but at least you tried. You know, finally, what’s at the root holding you back.
[Easton Black Belt and Lowry Co-Owner, Amy Fidelis: Commitment to Conquer Fear]
If it’s in martial arts, you know what you need to work on. If at work, you know your realistic limitations. Most of all, you know what’s real. You’re not assuming or predicting. You’re making informed decisions based on experience rather than fear. You gain clarity about your strengths, weaknesses, and the steps needed to improve.
As you get better at doing this, at putting yourself in discomfort to know your limits and potential – your limits begin to shrink and your potential expands. The line between where you are and where you want to be becomes less thick, and all by simply showing up.
Progress may not always feel linear, but over time, the small wins add up. You start to see how far you’ve come, even when you didn’t realize you were moving forward.
The more you do, the more confidence you begin to gain that it’s possible after all to show up and follow through. Suddenly, it’s not about ‘can I do it?’ It’s about doing it.
Confidence becomes less of a feeling and more of an action – a decision you make daily. By leaning into the discomfort, you create a new pattern of resilience and growth.
Most likely, others already think you can. Now you just need to know you can so you believe them. And when you do, you become a source of inspiration for others – showing them what’s possible when you lose the fear and step into your potential.
