As I write this I’m scared. I’m scared of three different projects I have going on. I don’t know if I’ll be able to pull them off under certain deadlines and successfully. I love this feeling!
Now, I don’t really enjoy this feeling. My tummy’s in knots and my pulse is pounding. My insecurities are nagging at me in the back of my mind. But I do enjoy knowing there’s a big payoff in store.
Scary things are good things. If you aren’t doing something that scares you, you aren’t doing anything significant. If you aren’t a bit nervous, you’re missing out on your sweet spot.
I’m convinced we work best when we’re under pressure. When I’m working in my comfort zone, I’m basically a flat Coca Cola. There’s no pressure. No bubbles. No fizz. There’s nothing interesting about my work.
But when the pressure’s on I’m bubbling. My best ideas rise to the surface. Innovation and re-prioritization happens.
So what am I working on that scares me so much? It won’t seem scary to you, but it is for me:
- A three-month long consultation with a church on their web strategy. Do I actually know what I’m talking about? Will I fail them? Will this drain all of my time?
- Redesigning the Sunday| Mag site by tomorrow. I have two new advertisers counting on the redesign. Am I forgetting something important? Is the new design better than the old? Will I get it done in time to launch with the new issues?
- Getting the Sunday| Mag iPad app ready by tomorrow. I’m laying out the issue in PDF form and making sure it’s ready for tomorrow’s launch. Is the app worth the small cost I’m charging? Does this add value to the magazine? Am I getting in over my head?
Maybe some of that’s insecurity. But most of it is healthy apprehension.
What are you apprehensive about?