Fear is a common commodity these days. You name the challenge – an uncertain economy, scathing competition, taxes and government regulation, the cost of technology, and more – and you're probably facing it.

No wonder you feel fear sometimes.

Fear can cripple. But it can also motivate. Once you understand the origins and implications of your business fears, you can begin to surmount them. More important, you can unleash a winning attitude – and take steps toward aggressive growth. Here's how:

• Figure out what's bugging you. All fears have a root cause. Most businesses share a common thread – uncertainty. Facing fear – uncertainty – is the first step toward fixing whatever problems might be lurking there. Exercise: List your top three uncertainties. If you can't identify your top three, ask yourself: what worries you when you wake up at 3:00 a.m.?
• Don't put too much stock in horror stories. Sure, you've heard tales of business plans gone awry, or total collapses befalling well-intentioned business people, but they're not the norm. Listen to those tales in order to learn, but don't treat them as gospel. Exercise: Identify three positive business success books. Make it a point to read them in the months ahead.
• Analyze risk. Remember that list of your top three uncertainties? Analyze them. You'll probably find that their likelihood of occurrence varies – and they're not necessarily business-busters. Exercise: List all of your business risks (a takeoff on your uncertainties). Rate each risk on a scale of “1” to “5,” with “5” representing the most serious, highest-probability risks. Once you've done this, congratulations – you've just launched your own informal risk management program. You have the beginnings of risk-prevention knowledge.
• Plan conservatively. As you review your fears and risks, ponder what you can to minimize the possibility of failure. The common thread is often a “safety cushion” – a little extra cash in an equipment reserve, a little more insurance coverage, slightly lower sales projections. These planning tweaks can help you breathe easier. Exercise: Walk through your budget, and decide where you can – and should – adjust for safety.
• Plot Plan B. Alright, suppose things don't work out the way you want. What can – and should – you do? Answer this question and you have the makings of “Plan B,” your backup strategy. And once you have Plan B on hand, you've built security and minimized fear. Exercise: Visualize the worst possible outcome of your plan. Build, on paper, a remediation strategy. You'll find that the plan has value, but just as important, you'll probably realize that the worst outcome is not likely to occur.
• Use fear to your advantage. Yes, you know that you can motivate yourself with fear, at least to some extent. But remember: the people around you – customers, prospects, employees, vendors – share the same fears as you. By helping them minimize fear, you build your own stature and success. Exercise: List three ways your products or services help customers minimize fear and risk, and overcome problems. And then identify at least three ways you can bring that anti-fear message to customers and associates.
• Count your wins. Despite the tumult and harshness of the economic challenges facing you, you'll experience success: an unexpected sale, heavy demand for a new product, an award. When good things happen, celebrate. And recognize that more success is possible. Exercise: Each time you experience a “win,” list the things you did to make the win happen. And recognize that you can do them again.
• Ask for help. You undoubtedly know successful people – peers, members of local business organizations, friends. And you know what? Successful people are usually delighted to offer guidance and advice. And they're often as near as the telephone or your computer. Exercise: Start a contact file if you don't already have one. And next time you have a problem or you're mired in fear, make a telephone call or offer to buy lunch.
• Remember that attitude is everything. Psychologists have proven again and again that belief in a positive outcome leads to visualization , and visualization leads to the desired result. Practice a positive attitude and you'll find yourself much more ready to confront fear. Exercise: At the beginning of each day, give yourself three positive affirmations that you want to practice. Begin with the words By the time this day ends I will have … Write them down if you must. And remind yourself of these self-promises throughout the day.

SO WHAT BREEDS FEAR?

Ask yourself what breeds uncertainty in your business life, and you'll be able to get a handle on the root causes of your fears. Chances are you fears will revolve around one or more of these potential problems:

• Fear of loosing customers
• Fear of loss of exposure or reputation
• Fear of external regulations and interference
• Fear of the loss of capital or current cash flow
• Fear of insufficient skills
• Fear of inadequate technology
• Fear of managing success