Fear is most often seen as negative, but certain aspects of fear can empower us at the right time.

I recently read a wonderful book, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It’s full of gems…but one of the most powerful messages I found in it was regarding Fear.  Here’s an excerpt:

“Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”

I hadn't considered this before. As a designer, and having worked with many creatives throughout my career, I've come to see that most of us are scared to death of being terrible at our craft. That’s a good sign. If it meant nothing to us – we would feel no resistance.

“The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”

This is a good reminder for anyone leading a branding initiative or considering whether or not to take the plunge. No one likes to make mistakes, and there is no guarantee of success. Unknowns are scary. But if you find yourself feeling fearful about pushing forward, consider acknowledging that fear as a gift and an indicator. Your gut could be telling you to go after the thing you know is important.

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