7 Lies Fear Tells You About

Your Dreams

Getting Real About Fear

Fear is a thief that feeds us lies, preventing us from chasing our dreams. It’s important to recognize these lies for what they are so you can overcome them and achieve your goals.

In this writing, I want to talk about the seven most common lies fear tells us and how to deal with them.

Lie 1: You’re Not Good Enough

How many times have you caught yourself thinking, “I can’t do this”? Fear loves to whisper that you’re not good enough for your dreams. But here’s the deal: you won’t know what you’re capable of unless you try.

When I worked as an Exercise Physiologist in a Disease Management Clinic, many patients often spoke about regret.

They regretted not pursuing their dreams, not being true to themselves, and they attributed it all to fear.

After hearing story after story about regret, I decided to chase my dreams despite my fears to avoid living with regret.

You, like me, have the opportunity to flip the script in your life by facing your fears and chasing your dreams, even during moments when you don’t feel good enough.

Start speaking positively to yourself and taking action to build the confidence and belief that you can succeed.

Lie 2: Everyone Will Judge You

Yes, it’s true—people will judge you. Some might think you’re trying to be better than them or doubt what you’re doing.

But here’s the bright side: many people will admire your courage to go for it.

On the last day of my corporate job, my boss called me into her office. When I walked in, she said, “Gene, close the door.”

I closed it, sat down, and she said, “I’ve been saying for years that I would leave this job to become a teacher or start my own small business, but it never happened. Every time I thought of leaving, I got afraid. I admire that you are actually going after what you want, so you don’t spend 25 years stuck in a job like I have.”

When you feel the judgment of others as you pursue your heart’s desire, focus on those who admire your journey, and let the fact that you inspire them motivate you to keep going.

Lie 3: You Will Fail

Sure, failure happens. It can feel scary, but it’s also part of learning and growing, and it doesn’t make you a failure. When I started selling t-shirts, I learned a hard lesson.

Due to my lack of research, I ordered t-shirts from a business whose owner knew I had no idea what I was doing.

He printed the shirts I requested on 100% cotton t-shirts using ink that didn’t suit those shirts. After getting hundreds of shirts printed, I took them home.

When I took one out of the box and pulled the t-shirt horizontally, the ink started to crack. I immediately became nervous but thought it was just one defective shirt.

I tested another shirt by pulling it, and the same thing happened. 

After testing several shirts, I realized the t-shirts were poorly printed.

I took the shirts back to the seller for a refund, but he said, “When you approved the shirts, it was your consent that you were satisfied with the product. I can run the shirts through the machine again, but I will not give a refund.” 

I was angry, but I knew my lack of research caused this problem. Had I done my research before ordering, I would have known what types of shirts and ink to ask for to ensure a quality product. 

I failed in my first attempt with t-shirts and ended up giving those shirts away. 

But that experience didn’t discourage me; instead, it encouraged me to be more diligent with research before creating any products.

You, too, will fail, but that does not mean you are a failure. It means you will discover ways that don’t work as you pursue your heart’s desire. As long as you don’t let it discourage you, you can grow from it. 

Fear will try to make you feel like a failure to convince you to give up, but remember, you are not a failure—you are simply taking a shaky step on the path to success.

Lie 4: You Are Alone in This

Pursuing your dreams can definitely feel isolating, but trust me—you’re not on this journey alone.

Many people want to see you succeed; they just need to witness your determination.

At first, you might feel isolated, but keep pushing toward your dreams, and you’ll begin to attract people who resonate with your energy.

Don’t let the fear of being alone hold you back. Use that time to build your strength and resilience!

Lie 5: You Can't Handle This

Fear often tells you that you can’t handle success or the challenges that come with it. I felt this way when I considered making online motivational videos.

I worried that I wouldn’t have enough ideas to create five videos.

But once I got started, ideas seemed to fall from the sky, and I’ve now posted over 3,000 videos online.

You are far more capable than you give yourself credit for, and you can handle the success that comes your way.

Lie 6: Things Will Never Get Better

At the start of your journey, progress can feel painfully slow. Fear tries to convince you that nothing will ever change.

When I began making videos, they weren’t great, but over time, I improved. I’m still growing today, and I know that as long as I stay the course, I will reap the rewards of my hard work.

When you start your journey toward the life you want, you will also face a period when things move much slower than you’d like.

When this happens, it’s important to remember that your efforts will eventually pay off—so don’t let fear deceive you into thinking your work is in vain.

Lie 7: You Should Stay Where You Are

Fear wants you to stay in your comfort zone, telling you that doing so is safer. This lie is dangerous because it can lead to regrets later.

My corporate job was my comfort zone, and it almost cost me my dream because I was too afraid to take a leap of faith.

This led to frustration, as I constantly felt stuck—like my boss, who stayed in the job for 25 years. I realized that if I didn’t take the risk to pursue my dream, I would never know what I could accomplish.

To overcome fear’s lie about your comfort zone, you must embrace the discomfort that comes with working toward your dream.

Your dream is worth fighting for, and you owe it to yourself to leave your comfort zone behind and pursue it.

Conclusion: Facing Fear’s Lies

Fear isn’t going anywhere, but it doesn’t have to destroy your dreams. By recognizing and facing the seven lies it presents, you can take steps to rise above them. 

Remember, you have the power to achieve your dreams despite fear, so take back your power because you are WORTHY OF BE GREAT!