How Amanda Got Rid Of Her Fears And Started Taking Action

 How Amanda Got Rid Of Her Fears And Started Taking Action

Written By Leon Ho

Many projects fail before they even start.

Why?

Because people are often afraid of their own ideas.

Just like Amanda was.

I've met her a couple of years ago through a mutual friend.

We talked about business and she told me how she wants to sell things on Etsy.

Her friend was already selling and making money.

And she had a lot of cool ideas for coffee mugs, pillows, posters, t-shirts, and other types of printable products.

But she didn't have time to start that project right away.

At least, that's what she told me.

She had a full-time job in a software company and was traveling to see her parents each weekend.

Why don't you start small, I've asked her.

You can create the first product in one afternoon if you already have an idea.

The next day, or next week, you can set up the store.

That's more or less everything you need.

And if you run into any kind of issue, you can always ask your friend for help.

She agreed.

And then told me she's going to give it a shot this week.

I was glad to hear that.

We didn't see each other for a couple of months after that conversation.

The next time I saw her, she told me...

"I'm afraid of this.

What if I spend all that time and money and nobody buys my products?

What if I have to close the store?

What if this, what if that..."

So I told her to imagine the absolute worst outcome of this project.

And she replied...

"To waste hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars and don't make a single cent back."

And what's the probability of that?

"Well, I think it's highly likely."

Fair enough.

On the other hand, what do you think is the best possible outcome?

"Oh, that's easy...

I quit my job and become a full-time entrepreneur and designer."

And how likely is that to happen?

"I think it's not likely..."

But, do you think that wasting your time and money is a big risk considering the payoff you could get?

That's when she realized what I'm trying to tell her.

She was focused on the worst possible outcome so much that she forgot what's her ultimate goal.

The risk was actually small compared to the reward.

After that conversation, she changed her mind.

And set up her store a few weeks ago.

And the best part?

She has already made some sales.

So her store is profitable.

She isn't wasting money.

Or time.