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Facing my Fears


Journal Week 4
This week was intense for me. My family was directly in the path of Hurricane Michael.  I watched as the storm churned its way up the Gulf swirling its wispy sharp gusts closer and closer to my hometown. The storm went through and did its dirty deeds, leaving the people in the area clinging to the hope that they could recover from the devastation Michael left in his wake. After I knew that my family and their properties were safe, I was left pondering whether I was prepared in my life to weather the storms. In the event of something catastrophic, “How will I measure my life?”
As I was studying all of the material for this week I found so much of it motivating, and I was really grateful for all of the clearly defined steps that are introduced. I love a good list. Clayton Christensen introduced me to a new way of thinking about management when he said, “Management is the most noble of professions if it’s practiced well. No other occupation offers as many ways to help others learn and grow, take responsibility and be recognized for achievement, and contribute to the success of a team.” It is not about being in charge! Its about inspiring others.
My husband had a long discussion about creating a culture of cooperation and not coercion, and how it affects the lives of those around us. We talked about how we needed to focus more on this in our own home to foster a spirit of cooperation and not fear or resentment in our children.
Jim Collins inspired me to look at the crossroads in my life of what I was good at, born to do, and what people will pay me to do. That is where I will find what my purpose is. Sharon Mays, a member of the Acton Hero's inspired me to “either do it or stop talking about it” when it came to my dreams. She said, “ Your future dreams are already inside of you waiting for you to GIVE IT LIFE.”  I really like that. I have a legit fear of jumping into the unknown. I like the idea that the ability to accomplish the things that my heart longs for is part of me and my makeup.
I gained so much perspective doing the fear exercise. I feel like just putting them on paper and getting them out of my head helped me tremendously. Sorting through the logical and illogical aspect of them was very helpful, and then coming up with action plans to fix poor outcomes was great. I felt like a burden was lifted off of me when I completed it.

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