What Would You Do If Fear Didn’t Hold You Back?

Stop Letting Fear Control Your Life

In partnership with

Ever wonder how different your life would be if fear wasn’t in control? Fear has a way of keeping us stuck—telling us we’re not ready, not capable, or that we’ll fail. But what if you stopped listening to it? What if you pushed through instead?

Let’s be real: fear is sneaky. It disguises itself as logic, overthinking, and hesitation. But here’s the truth—fear is just a feeling, not a fact. And if you let it, it’ll keep you from chasing your goals, taking risks, and stepping into the life you could be living.

So, what would you do if you weren’t afraid? Let’s talk about how to stop letting fear hold you back.

What Top Execs Read Before the Market Opens

The Daily Upside was founded by investment professionals to arm decision-makers with market intelligence that goes deeper than headlines. No filler. Just concise, trusted insights on business trends, deal flow, and economic shifts—read by leaders at top firms across finance, tech, and beyond.

1. Fear Isn’t Going Anywhere—But That’s Okay

Fear isn’t something you outgrow. It’s always going to show up when you try something new, take a risk, or push outside your comfort zone. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to wait for fear to disappear before taking action.

Courage isn’t about eliminating fear. It’s about moving forward despite it. The more you act in the face of fear, the less power it has over you.

Try this: The next time fear shows up, don’t avoid it. Acknowledge it, take a deep breath, and move forward anyway.

2. You’ll Regret the Risks You Don’t Take

Think about the last time fear stopped you from doing something. Maybe it was speaking up, trying something new, or taking a chance on an opportunity. That regret? It lingers way longer than the fear ever does.

When you look back, you won’t regret the things you tried—even if they didn’t work out. But you will regret the chances you didn’t take because fear talked you out of them.

Try this: Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I’ve been avoiding because of fear?” Now take one small step toward it.

3. Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

We all love our comfort zones—it’s safe and familiar there. But nothing truly life-changing happens inside them.

Everything you want—the success, the growth, the opportunities—is just outside your comfort zone. Yes, stepping out feels uncomfortable. Yes, it’s scary. But that’s where real progress happens.

Try this: Do something this week that pushes you outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s having a tough conversation, starting something new, or putting yourself out there, take action.

ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS:

Name Your Fear: Write down one fear that’s been holding you back and ask, “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?” Then, take a step toward it.

Take One Bold Step: Do something that scares you this week. Even if it’s small, move forward anyway.

Step Into Growth: Choose one area where you’ve been staying comfortable and push yourself beyond it. Growth starts when comfort ends.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Fear will always be there, but it doesn’t have to control you.

  • You’ll regret the chances you don’t take more than the ones you do.

  • The life you want is on the other side of fear—step out and go for it.

Your Advanced Mindset

Michael, Founder of GritAndGraceMinds & SocietyOfFaith