Hello! Welcome to this week’s edition of Monday Morning Minutes ,
First a quote: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” — George Addair
I had a mentoring conversation this past week with a talented, thoughtful, well educated, and highly capable professional. She reached out because she has a dream… to write a book. She wanted to hear about my recent experiences as a new publisher.
We talked through the process; what it takes to start, the discipline required to keep going, and the reality that writing a book is just as much a mental and emotional journey, as it is a technical one.
We discussed messy first drafts, self-editing, and the moments of doubt that seem to show up right when you’re making progress.
I enjoyed the conversation, the sharing, and the self-reflection it triggered in my own mind.
And then, as we were wrapping up the call, she paused and said something simple, powerfully human, and incredibly honest:
“I’m afraid.”
She continued, afraid, not of doing the work… not of putting in the effort… but of putting herself out there. Of wondering if her work would be good enough. Of questioning whether anyone would care or find value in her wisdom.
Afraid of hearing that quiet inner voice, we’ve all heard at one time or another, whisper: “Who do you think you are? What makes you think you’re ‘good enough’ to write a book.”
As she said it, I found myself thinking… she is not alone. I suspect all of us have experienced that line of thinking on various occasions. I had similar thoughts on my own book-writing journey.
Fear and self-doubt have a way of showing up for almost all of us, especially when something matters. In fact, the more something matters, the more likely those feelings are to appear.
“Fear and self-doubt have always been the greatest enemies of human potential.” — Brian Tracy
They tend to surface right at the edge of growth, when we’re considering a new role, stepping into leadership, trying something new, or putting our ideas, our voice, or our work out into the world.
And here’s what I’ve noticed over time… fear rarely tells us to stop outright.
It’s usually more subtle than that. It encourages us to wait. To prepare just a little bit longer. To polish just a little bit more. To hold back until we feel completely ready, which, of course, almost never comes.
So, we hesitate.
And that hesitation, over time, comes with a cost. Not always an obvious one, but a meaningful one. It shows up in the ideas that never quite get shared, the opportunities we don’t pursue, and the potential that stays just out of reach.
I don’t know if my friend will go on to write her book.
But I do know this… fear will have a voice in that decision, not only for her, but for all of us with a secret dream.
The question is whether it gets to have the final say.
What if, instead of waiting for fear to disappear, we simply learned to move forward with it? Not fearlessly, but courageously. Not with complete certainty, but with enough belief to take the next step.
Because courage isn’t about the absence of fear. It’s about deciding that something else matters more. Courage is action in the face of fear!
And often, what’s waiting on the other side of that fear isn’t failure, it’s more about growth, contribution, and the very potential we’ve been holding back.
Fear may always have a voice… but it doesn’t have to have final authority.
So, here’s a thought to carry into your week:
Where might fear be holding you back right now as you finish this missive?
What thoughts have jumped to the forefront of your mind within the last minute?
What ideas are screaming for your attention?
And what might change if you took one small step forward… in the face of your fears?
Bonus Quotes Below
How will you live, love, or lead, differently, or better, this week?
Have a great week, my friends.
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
Related articles:
PS - If you enjoy my weekly missives, you may find my new book to be of value to you.
Amazon is currently running a sale for $13.97 each for paperback copies!
What others are saying:
If you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time—or even if you’ve been leading for years and want a fresh, grounded perspective—this book is an absolute must-read. What makes this guide stand out is how approachable and real it is. Bryan has a way of breaking down leadership into practical, usable insights without making it feel overwhelming or overly academic. It truly feels like a companion you can return to again and again, whether you’re navigating a tough conversation, building your confidence, or just trying to figure out what kind of leader you want to be. I also appreciated how genuinely funny and engaging it is. Leadership books can sometimes feel dry, but this one keeps you hooked. You can hear Bryan’s voice on every page—authentic, relatable, and magnetic in the same way he shows up during his training sessions. It feels less like reading a book and more like being coached by someone who really gets it. What I love most is that it’s not just about theory—it’s personal, practical, and full of moments that make you pause and reflect. It meets you where you are and helps you grow from there. Highly recommend this to any new leader looking for guidance, confidence, and a resource they’ll want to use—not just sit on a shelf.
Amazon Customer
Do you know someone who might benefit from this weekly leadership minute? If so, please feel free to pass along the subscription link below:
-
On LinkedIn: Click here to subscribe to the MMM newsletter on LinkedIn. (Recommended)
-
Via email: Click here to subscribe to MMM and have it sent directly to your email inbox each Monday.
Bonus Quotes:
-
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown
-
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
-
“Self-doubt kills talent.” — Edie McClurg
-
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky
-
“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence.” — Norman Vincent Peale
-
“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” — Rudyard Kipling
-
“Ignorance is the parent of fear.” — Herman Melville
-
“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” — Seneca
-
“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
-
“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” – Japanese Proverb
-
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” — Henry Ford
-
“To overcome fear, here’s all you have to do: realize the fear is there and do the action you fear anyway.” — Peter McWilliams
