Tag: self-improvement

Let Fear Ride Along—Not Drive

Blog by Tracy Stock, CSP

Fear of change is incredibly human. If you feel it, nothing is wrong with you—it usually means you care, and you’re paying attention. Fear is a loyal companion to any fresh start. It whispers doubts: What if you fail again? What if this new way hurts? However, fear can also be a powerful signal. It can alert you that something meaningful is at stake. Often, the things we’re most afraid to begin are the things that end up mattering most. I have found that the goal shouldn’t be to eliminate fear by waiting to feel fearless. This behavior will certainly keep you stuck. Instead, choose to be the driver of the change you want in your life—while allowing fear to be a quiet backseat passenger.  

Here are five strategies for how to keep fear buckled up behind you:

1. Name the Fear (Specifically). Vague fear feels overwhelming. Specific fear is manageable. Instead of “I’m scared of change,” ask:

        • What exactly am I afraid will happen?
        • What do I think I’ll lose?
        • What’s the worst-case scenario—and how realistic is it?

        Once fear has a name, it loses some of its power.

        2. Separate Discomfort from Danger. Your brain is wired to treat uncertainty as a threat. But discomfort ≠ danger. Ask yourself: Is this actually unsafe, or just unfamiliar? Have I survived similar changes before? Most change feels scary because it’s new—not because it’s harmful.

          3. Shrink the Change. Big change is intimidating. Small change is doable. You don’t need to leap. You can:

          • Take a trial step
          • Set a short timeline (“I’ll try this for 30 days”)
          • Change one habit, not everything at once

          Momentum builds confidence, not the other way around.

          4. Focus on What You’re Choosing, Not What You’re Losing. Fear fixates on loss. Intentionally shift your focus to what you are gaining. Ask:

          • What am I moving toward?
          • What does staying the same cost me?
          • Who could I become if this works?

          Sometimes the fear of staying stuck needs to be louder than the fear of changing.

          5. Trust Yourself. You don’t need certainty that things will work out. You need to trust that you will handle whatever happens. Remind yourself that you’ve adapted before; you’ve learned from mistakes; you’re more resilient than you think. Confidence comes from self-trust, not guarantees.

          If you’re standing at the edge of something new, unsure whether to step forward, remember this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to begin. New beginnings aren’t about being fearless or flawless. Change invites uncertainty, yet it also invites possibility. When you let go of what no longer fits, you create space—space for growth, for connection, for versions of yourself you haven’t met yet. Not every beginning leads exactly where you expect, and that’s okay. Some paths teach you something before gently redirecting you. Others surprise you in the best possible way.

          Courageously facing change is similar to driving: fear—at least in the beginning—is normal, visibility ahead can be limited, and making mistakes on the road is inevitable. But you can either choose to remain in “park”—which guarantees you’ll never arrive, or you can choose to sit confidently behind the wheel, start your engine, and bravely drive your life forward.

          Accountability: Nobody Screws You Better than Yourself

          Blog by Tracy Stock, CSP

          In a world filled with distractions and shifting responsibilities, one trait consistently separates those who achieve success from those who struggle to make progress: accountability. Rather than shifting blame or making excuses, being accountability means owning your actions, decisions and commitments. Whether in personal relationships, the workplace, or self-improvement, holding oneself accountable is the foundation for trust, discipline, and long-term success.

          Why is accountability important? It not only builds trust and credibility by following through on your promises, but it also strengthens relationships through words and actions, enhances productivity and performance by taking initiative and staying committed to results, and it creates a greater sense of ownership and empowerment when you realize you’re not a victim of circumstances and do have the power to change your life for the better.

          Interestingly, though, there is no accountability gene. We aren’t born with or without it. Accountability is a choice. It’s not simple, nor easy. And because of this, many don’t demonstrate accountability, which in turn, ends up hurting those individuals the most. Why do you say you are going to do something, you don’t do it for whatever the reason, and then fault something or someone else for your lack of action? You end up looking bad, trust is broken, and now your focus is on fixing the problem [you caused]. As the saying goes, “Nobody screws you better than yourself.”

          If you want to cultivate greater accountability in your life, here are five key strategies to help you achieve success with it:

          1. Set Clear Goals and Expectations. Know what you want to achieve and outline actionable steps to get there. The clearer your goals, the easier it is to hold yourself accountable.

          2. Track Your Progress. Use journals, planners, or digital tools to monitor your progress. Regular check-ins help you stay on track and recognize areas for improvement.

          3. Own Your Mistakes. When things go wrong, acknowledge your part in it. Avoid making excuses and focus on solutions instead. Growth comes from learning from failures.

          4. Seek Feedback and Support. Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a colleague, having someone who challenges you to stay on track can make a significant difference.

          5. Follow Through on Commitments. Do what you say you will do. Keeping promises—both to yourself and others—strengthens discipline and builds trust.

          Be accountable for your thoughts, words, behaviors, and actions. Own the bad, the bitter, the beneficial and the best. We’re all flawed, but by choosing accountability over excuses, we stop the cycle of hurting ourselves and instead take greater control of our life and our outcomes. Come on, you got this!