I love this article by Steven Pressfield, author of the War of Art.  He writes that panic is a natural state and that it precedes the shipping of your best art.  He says,

New Year’s is a big time for panic. Self-expectations of what’s ahead, self-recriminations for what’s behind. If you feel a twinge of panic, take a breath and step back. Re-examine the past six months, the past twelve. Are you growing? Is the arc or your evolution upward? I’ll bet the ranch it is, even if it’s hard for you to see because you’re too close to it. Ask a friend. Ask three friends.

Steven is a writer writing for other writers so when he talks of art he means in the traditional sense.  Your art is whatever you do with your heart.  My art is bookkeeping and coaching business owners about the flow of money in their business and this Business Owners Success Club.

You should never feel comfortable. There is something wrong if you are. You should always feel under threat, on the edge of your seat and pushing yourself. Win one and you want to win more. It`s never-ending. – Damon Hill, F1 Champion

Formula 1 auto racing is the pinnacle of racing.  The cars are wonders of engineering and the drivers are elite.  There’s nothing finer than watching one of these machines twitching at the edge of control as the driver makes a move past another.  What would it feel like to be that close to the edge?  Kinda puts your fears about posting that post in perspective, doesn’t it?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. – Marianne Williamson

To me, this is the highest and best value that a mastermind group brings – a group of fans cheering and egging you on to be the best you can be.   A great mastermind group helps you feel invincible,  offers you practical advice and inspires you to be the best you can be. (a tip of the hat to Jeffrey Hosick, Gary Morton, Trevor Stokvis, Francois Weststrake, Regine Albrecht, Bodo Albrecht, Joshua Harbert, Connie Herman and Rex Williams, masterminds all)

Join or create a mastermind group.  Find a mentor.  Follow (I didn’t say stalk) a successful person to learn and take inspiration.

We have an obligation to be the best we can be.  Yes, that will feel uncomfortable, but do it anyway.