Moving Past Fear and Into Action

I’m sharing an article I wrote for Inc Magazine featuring Robin Fisher Roffer, founder and CEO of Big Fish Marketing. She is also a four-time author, and a branding and reinvention specialist.

This article originally appeared on Inc.com.

Robin Fisher Roffer is on a mission to empower others to better their careers and improve their lives through fearless and authentic action. Roffer believes the key to success is found in learning to trust your intuition as you move confidently and strategically forward. Her expertise has launched and evolved media brands all over the world including A&E, CNN, Food Network, Discovery and Hallmark, to name only a few.

Here are Roffer’s thoughts on how to operate at your highest potential.

1. Listen to your intuition, not your fears.

If we allow it, self-doubt has a way of creeping in and crippling our momentum. “When we have an instinct – not to be confused with a reaction – it comes from deep within, and we should trust that instinct.”

She goes on to say that categorically, almost every time we make a serious mistake, it is because we didn’t listen to our instincts. Ignoring that discernment equals time wasted. “As entrepreneurs and business owners, we are wired to hear the inner voice, but we allow fear to take us out of the moment. We sabotage ourselves by sitting in jobs we hate and staying in relationships that don’t work because we push aside the instinct that says ‘get out.'”

2. Channel negative feelings into positive momentum.

Fearless people adopt an attitude of “life is working for me, not against me.” She calls this type of leader “lionhearted,” someone who knows even when their gut instincts may not take them exactly where they want to go, they are still one step closer than before.

While living in California several years ago at a pinnacle point in her career, Roffer found herself struggling with exhaustion. Her business was at its height. She was working with major networks and technology companies, launching huge campaigns for television programming including the Olympics and the Oscars, Desperate Housewives, and South Park, buying their media, creating their ad campaigns, writing copy and putting together social media.

She recognized she was unfulfilled and unable to spend the amount of time with her young daughter she desired. Instead of ignoring her gut instinct, which said “move to Santa Fe, you’ve got to stop this,” she converted her thoughts into fuel. Roffer carefully carved out the pieces of her business that were no longer serving her.

3. Live out your personal calling.

Today, Roffer is on retainer with Fox Networks and is their official storyteller, serving to unite their team as they embrace change. “It’s been an amazing journey, but I had to break something to reinvent who I was going to be in the world and support my personal mission and why I am here.”

She is dedicated to empowering others and abides by her mission statement: “Fearlessly reaching your highest potential through change.”

The groundwork to pursue excellence was laid by her father, who ran a small ad agency and raised her as a single dad. He believed successful brands were built on truths and big ideas. He taught her to “show up, over deliver, and do it with immense passion.” He also was a strong example of how a single parent can successfully raise a child and impart values and skills that have made a lasting impact.

4. Think large, take chances and “Go after Big Fish.”

Roffer says you must “strike while the iron is hot.” Within 24 hours after a meeting, business etiquette calls for sending a follow-up. Taking the initiative means you’ll stand out when the competition lags behind.

“Like minnows, small companies are easy to catch in your net, but they produce little sustenance.” Larger opportunities may take longer to “reel in,” requiring persistence and perseverance, but when you do, “you’ll eat for life.”

You may also like Be Confident, Brave and Bold. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life here.