A little while ago, I returned from an experience that I knew, intellectually, would have a huge impact on me; but as they say, it’s one thing to know something, it’s another to live it.

What experience could possibly have this much of an impact on me? I went to Camp GLP (Good Life Project); and I will continue to go, every year from this point forward, as if my life depended on it. That’s how life changing it was for me.

But this isn’t a post where I process everything that happened, and how I felt about it. I will keep that to myself for now. I do, however, want to share something that came to light for me in the weeks and months that followed.

The awesomeness of Camp GLP

For those who aren’t aware, Camp GLP is this place where 400+ people from all walks of life come to take over a kids’ sleepaway camp for a few days, to learn, share, play, and connect with other like-minded people.

Seeing as it was my first year at Camp, I only knew a little bit about what to expect; mainly what others had shared. What I didn’t expect was to totally turn into a babbling fan-girl in the presence of certain celebrities.

Well, MY kind of celebrities, anyway.

These were people whom I deeply admire; people whose work I follow, people I look up to, and people who approach their work and life in a way that I aspire to.

These were people like Jonathan Fields, Leo Babauta, Chris Guillebeau, Lisa Congden, Cynthia Morris, and Max Levi Frieder.

Every time I saw them walking around, excitement and anxiety coursed through me as that fan-girl in me screamed “OMG OMG OMG OMG! There s/he is!” and I had to remind myself to breathe.

It took most of the weekend to slowly acclimate to seeing these idols of mine walk around, like normal people… because, you know, they ARE normal human beings.

Connecting with a Mentor

Just as I thought it was over, I was given a gift from the Universe. I had an opportunity to approach Leo Babauta (of Zen Habits) and the fan-girl part of me was so exhausted that I was actually able to use words that made sense.

We ended up having a long conversation that I deeply appreciated, but for some reason, one question he asked me stayed with me.

You see, that morning, I attended Leo’s workshop around Fear and Uncertainty. Earlier in the spring, I participated in his 44-day meditation program that offered a series of practices designed to help us sit with, and move through Uncertainty and Discomfort.

So when Leo asked me what kind of work I did, and I shared a quick version of my journey towards entrepreneurship, he asked “so you’re familiar with experiencing uncertainty then?”, to which I replied without thinking “Every day”.

I hadn’t realized this until I said it.

But it’s true.

How I live with Uncertainty

It’s easy to worry about things.

Concerned about whether I’m spending my precious spare time on the right task, or whether I’m relaxing just a little too much. Whether the money I spend on a course, program, book or product will be worth it. Even more so when it’s a considerable investment!

I worry about whether that potential client will sign up for a coaching package with me, whether people will show up to my workshop, or whether I’ll get that job I interviewed for a few weeks ago.

There are a million things to feel uncertain about. But here’s the thing:

Nothing is certain.

Not the success of my business, not my success as a writer, not my so-called permanent job, not the quality and length of my relationships, not even tomorrow.

I know it’s become cliché to say, but it’s true: All we really have is today. All we really have is this moment, right now.

How I live with Fear

It’s easy for me to coach people through their own self-talk and mental blocks. It’s easy for me to offer a compassionate, guiding hand and an outside perspective.

It’s easy because I’m not emotionally invested.

When it comes to my own life, however, I’m right there with you.

Every day, I wake up asking myself what I’ll be working on that will bring me one step closer to my goals.

And every day, I wonder if the choices I make are the right ones.

Should I be writing right now, instead of reading this book or article? Should I be working on something on the back-end of the business, or should I be engaging with my community? Can I do this by myself or should I be asking for help?

Inevitably, my thoughts turn into something that sounds like:

Who am I to write these things?
Can I really do this?
Will my clients want their money back?
Should I follow what this person says, or this person, or these people?
There are so many ways to do this, which one is the best approach?
I CAN’T DO THIS!!!

Every. Damn. Day.

Fear is constantly peeking over my shoulder, hiding in the shadows of my mind, saying things like:

“What’re you doing? Why are you writing that? Don’t say it that way, that’s stupid. Nobody’s going to read it anyway. It’s not useful enough. Nobody cares.

Why are you trying to do this new thing? You don’t even know how to do that! It’s too hard and you suck at it. You might as well just quit.

Don’t even bother calling that client. She’s got way better things to do than talk to you.

Why are you doing this thing for your business right now? Why are you spending time writing? That’s not productive. You have so many more important things to do. People are depending on you and here you are, wasting your time doing something that will bring you nothing.”

Call it what you want: Self-doubt, your Inner Critic, your Ego, your brain’s negative bias or as Brené Brown calls them, Fear Gremlins. It’s all the same, and the basic component of it is Fear.

Moving through Fear and Uncertainty

I feel Fear and Uncertainty constantly. I live them every day. Here are a few things I do to move through the gremlins, and keep moving forward.

1. I remember to take time to breathe and surrender

If you’ve read some of my earlier articles, you know that I learned to meditate a long time ago. I don’t pretend to say that I have a regular practice, but I’ve had enough experience with meditation to know how much better my life is when I take time, every day, to breathe and surrender.

Even if it’s just 5 minutes. It counts.

Along with breathing, I make a conscious effort to surrender.

By surrendering I don’t mean that I let Fear and Uncertainty overcome me. It just means letting go of the resistance that I feel in the Fear or Uncertainty that I’m feeling in that moment. I just allow myself to feel the emotion as it is, and let it pass.

I don’t give up on my desires, on the things I want, and am working towards. But in surrendering, I give up the conditions in which I’m insisting they happen. I allow the Universe to do what it needs to do, in the way and in the time that it needs to do it in.

I can’t control the outcome of anything that I do, so I might as well give up trying to.

2. I remind myself WHY I’m doing it

When it has to do with building my business, for me the Fear generally revolves around learning a new skill and feeling frustrated and overwhelmed at how much I still have to learn.

So for me, remembering WHY I’m doing all of this means remembering the people I’ve encountered so far who have shared their stories with me, and whom I’ve fallen in love with.

It’s people who have come to my Live Your Legend meetups, clients and potential clients I’ve had discussions with, and the many other wonderful people I’ve been blessed enough to connect with through participating in various events.

The statistic on how many people hate their jobs has remained at around 80% for many years now. I believe in the cause of helping people find and do work they love. I believe in everyone’s RIGHT to wake up excited to go to work every day.

And I believe in this cause so much that I am more than willing to eat the shit sandwiches every day for every person who is still searching for a better way to live a happier, more meaningful life.

3. I do what I love, just because I love it

I love to write. I’m a writer. There I said it.

Over the last year or so, I’ve grown to understand that when I don’t allow myself the time and space to write, my life really sucks. I get grumpy, I don’t cope well with stress, and I’m not a fun person to be around.

I write for myself, first and foremost.

I don’t care whether or not it’s the best way to grow my audience and generate business. THIS IS FOR ME and I feel so much better when I let the words out.

Whatever it is that brings you joy, be it writing, knitting, painting, playing a sport, or dancing, make sure you make space for that one thing that’s JUST FOR YOU.

We all want to insert more passion into our lives, and it’s a HUGE bonus if you can make money from it, but don’t make that your initial goal. Do that thing you love for YOU, first.

4. I connect with My Peeps

As an introvert, it’s easy for me to get lost in the hustle. I have to work to remind myself to come out of my hermit cave and connect with people. But every time I do, I feel SO MUCH BETTER.

Find your tribe.

“You are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with” – Jim Rohn

Find those people who get it, those people who will share their own struggles with you and who will encourage you along the way.

Nobody ever does anything alone. And you have MUCH greater chances of success if you surround yourself with other passionate people.

Believe me. It makes ALL the difference in the world.