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Hi Reader, When you’re building something new and ambitious, feeling fear is natural. It’s that shiver down your spine before stepping onto a stage, or the goosebumps when you hit “publish” for the first time. But fear, like all emotions, is just a signal – it's telling you: this matters, pay attention. A little fear is healthy. It sharpens your senses, like the tense music in a haunted house. Panic, on the other hand, is dangerous. It scrambles your thinking, pushing you to make rash choices, like sprinting blindly into the dark woods when the monster jumps out. Know the difference:
I’ve felt both as I've tried to grow 321 Liftoff. And the truth is: the bigger and bolder the thing you’re chasing, the more fear is going to show up. That’s not a sign to stop. It’s a sign you’re on the path to personal growth. The trick (pun intended) is learning to listen to fear without letting it turn into panic. The real treat (yes, one more) comes when you acknowledge your nerves, breathe, and move forward anyway. That’s how you do something bold without letting it become a nightmare. Happy Halloween! 👻 Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2024 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
Hi Reader, There’s always a gap between where you are and where you want to be. Sometimes it feels like a chasm: How could I possibly get there?! I feel this all the time. I’ve got a long-term vision for where I want my business and career to go. And even on a smaller scale, I have a vision for how I want to show up in the next coaching session or meeting. But when I spend too much energy thinking about the end goal, I get stuck. The distance feels overwhelming and I tend to be overly...
Hi Reader, Over the last few years, I’ve experimented with a lot: social media videos, podcasts, this newsletter, different coaching methods, website layouts, lead magnets, digital tools, program designs, in-person events, different taglines on my business cards. Some of it stuck. Some of it flopped. All of it taught me something. There's value in spreading out — exploring widely, experimenting with new ideas, and stretching your belief about what you're capable of creating. Spreading out...
Hi Reader, Kodak once dominated photography. In the 1970s, they even invented the digital camera. But they didn’t pursue it. Why? They were confident film would always be king. That's complacency. They scoffed at new innovations, taking their success for granted. Contrast that with James Dyson. He built over 5,000 prototypes before perfecting the bagless vacuum. That’s persistence. With every failure, he stayed curious. Or Sara Blakely. She hacked a pair of pantyhose into a Spanx prototype...