SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 51
FOLLOW THE FEAR
Ann Handley
Author, Speaker, Chief Content
Officer
AnnHandley.com
@marketingprofs
#FollowTheFear
This is a talk I gave at Hubspot’s Inbound ‘13.
Instead of dumping the slides here and letting you
piece together what the heck I talked about, I
thought I’d ANN-otate it for you (get it?) in these
boxes.
Thank you Doug Kessler for the
inspiration for this ANN-otation.
NO.
#FollowTheFear
When Hubspot first asked me to give a talk on its Bold Talks
stage – a stage that was to represent an opportunity for
attendees to “discover bold and powerful talks from a diverse
group of exciting and influential people….”
This was my first impulse:
Actually, that’s not quite
true.
My first impulse was…
NO. NO. NO. NO.
NO. NO. NO. NO.
Just
Hell, NO.
#FollowTheFear
Hi.
Ann Handley
Author, Speaker, Chief Content Officer
AnnHandley.com
@marketingprofs
This is the story of why NO was my first reaction.
And how it came to be that I’m standing here now, giving
a bold talk.
Or how it came to be that you are reading
this as a slide show.
As with anything, the content matters more
than the medium. (Media? I always get that
confused.)
A lot of people say they were shy children. But I took shy to a new depths: I wasn’t
just shy. I was whatever is beyond shy.
When I was 8 years old I started a running list in my diary of everything I was afraid
of. Of things to avoid.
Things that scare me….
It started out with a handful of the pedestrian
fears…
Spiders.
The dark.
Being alone in the house.
Stairs that don’t have
a back riser.
…but then it veered into some pretty broad,
open territory.
The smell of the cellar.
Toddlers.
My brother’s teenage
friends.
Old people.
People in wheelchairs.
People with foreign
accents.
People.
I’d hear the sound of an unfamiliar car engine in the driveway and make
a beeline for my room.
I’d tuck myself into the small, dark space under my twin bed and stay
there, simply wait it out (sometimes for hours), until I heard my parents
calling goodbyes from the driveway, and the coast was clear for me to
emerge.
When my parents had guests over, I would
avoid the entire awkward scene.
#FollowTheFear
Fourth grade, in particular, terrified me.
I was 9. I had a loud, brash, outgoing
teacher who believed that children learned
best when they had plenty of room to
express themselves and engage with the
world around them.
#FollowTheFear
Our teacher dispatched with the typical
classroom seating arrangement – desks in
rows, children front-facing – and placed our
desks in a large circle, so we could all see
each other.
We could all see who was talking (and
someone always was), because she believed
that ideas were worth discussing in an open,
engaging forum.
She was a phenomenal teacher.
NO.
I hated her.
NO.
She messed with my strategy for school, which was to keep
my head down and do my worksheets. And during group
discussion or class participation, to align yourself perfectly
with the silhouette of the student directly in front of you, so
you effectively disappeared.
For a fear-filled, anxious child, her classroom was hell.
#FollowTheFear
So I decided to stop showing up. First, I had to
secure the help of an unwitting adult who had the
power to keep me out of school – in this case, my
mother. I got really great at faking sick so I could
stay home.
You might think this is no big deal – but
remember that I was doing this without
the benefit of Google. Which was
probably a good thing, considering what
disturbing “illness” Google might have
suggested for a 9-year-old.
32 days.
#FollowTheFear
Over a few months, I missed a LOT of school.
My mother never thought too deeply about it. I was
doing this in an era before “parenting” was
invented.
“Self-esteem” hadn’t been
invented yet, either.
#FollowTheFear
One day that year, our teacher organized a surprise team-building exercise outside,
on the field-hockey field.
It was to go like this: Half of us got field hockey sticks. When she blew the whistle,
those on the field would give their sticks to those on the sidelines, and the sidelined
kids would take their positions.
#FollowTheFear
I’d like to tell you that I was as graceful as a
Princess on the field hockey field.
#FollowTheFear
NO.
#FollowTheFear
I was slow to claim a stick initially (no surprise there), so I was in the first sidelined
group.
Only when the whistle blew, instead of claiming my spot, I rushed at the jockiest,
most athletic girl in our class, and I told her she could have a double-turn on the
field.
I knew she’d be thrilled at the prospect – and she was! She enthusiastically trotted
back out to claim her (which should’ve been my) spot.
#FollowTheFear
I was counting on the teacher not noticing – in the chaos of the switch – that I was
the only 4th
grader to sit out the field hockey game.
It was a tragic miscalculation on my part. Actually, the teacher didn’t notice me. But
she noticed that the jock was back in the game, and she asked her why. The girl
ratted me out.
Next year’s Bold Talk at
Hubspot is going to be on my
historical distrust of female
athletes. (Ha. I’m kidding.)
Or am I…?
F.
My opt-out was a huge deal for
a teacher who was trying to
teach accountability, openness,
discourse. My parents were
hauled in. The principal was
involved. For someone
attempting to stay under the
radar, it was a fail on an epic
scale.
At my next report card carried
something I’d never seen before
attached to my name…
F.
It hit me hard. If there was
anything I valued more than
going unnoticed, it was my
grades.
My grades were how I defined
myself: I was someone who got
As.
If I got an F, who was I?
#FollowTheFear
I was 9 years old. It would be years before I
would read The Scarlett Letter.
But when I did read it I thought back to that F
and thought, “I know exactly how Hester
Prynne feels!”
What opting out means.
#FollowTheFear
In the weeks and months and year that followed… it slowly
dawned on me that opting out of things – whether it’s a field
hockey game or something more important than that – means
failure on a scale larger than an F on a report card.
If you stay under your bed… if you stay off the field… if you say no before you
consider a yes… you limit yourself. You pen yourself in.
Opting out because you are scared, or awkward, or insecure, or unsure of the
outcome earns you an F not just on a report card, but in life.
So what? Can’t we live a perfectly happy life unfilled? Under the radar? Isn’t that
spot under the bed quiet and cozy? Does it matter?
I think it does, because to be loved means to be seen for who you are. And to be
who you are means to explore the possibilities of what’s possible.
It means to think about what’s possible for you, right now, before you define what’s
impossible.
So what? Can’t we live a perfectly happy life unfilled, under the radar? Isn’t that
spot under the bed quiet and cozy? Does it matter?
“The computer will do anything within
its abilities.
“But it will do nothing, unless
commanded to do so.”
– John Madea
#FollowTheFear
“The computer will do anything within
its abilities.
“But it will do nothing, unless
commanded to do so.”
– John Madea
#FollowTheFear
The artist and essayist Debbie Millman says that people are the same. We like to
operate within our abilities. We like to stay in our comfort zones.
But whereas the computer has fixed capacity -- based on its operating system or
memory or programs or whatever – you and I don’t.
“Our abilities are limited only by our perceptions,” Millman says.
Years later after that day on the field hockey field, I
can now articulate it, thanks to a quote I read by Amy
Gahran:
“Your comfort zone is your dead zone.”
I limited my perception that day. I did for most of my
childhood. But I don’t anymore.
Except when I do. Because the truth is I still fight it. I
still want to give someone instead of me a double-
turn on the field hockey field. I still want to say NO. I
still want to opt out.
But instead of letting it derail me, I instead try to use
the resistance to fuel my momentum – much the way
that a sailboat uses the wind to power its effort
toward where it wants to go.
1. Ask: So what?
#FollowTheFear
So here’s what helps.
There are three things:
1. Ask: So what?
#FollowTheFear
What’s the worst that happen? I make a fool of myself on the field hockey field. So
what?
I embarrass myself here today, in front of all of you. So what?
You go back to your offices and talks about how weird Ann Handley was as a child.
So what?
1. Ask: So what?
#FollowTheFear
What’s the real power of that? I’ll survive. I’ll be ok. I’ll still have friends, family,
people who love me.
I’ll suffer some slight embarrassment at the hands of some, maybe.
But at the same time, others will appreciate my message.
2. Assume people love you.
If they don’t, assume they just don’t
know you well enough yet.
#FollowTheFear
#FollowTheFea
I learned this from my dog Simon, who
passed away recently. Simon was a
glorious optimist who greeted everyone
he met with an unembarrassed
enthusiasm.
#FollowTheFea
Simon assumed everyone loved him. And if you didn’t love him, he assumed you
just needed to invest a little more time getting to know him. Because in his mind,
he was worth knowing.
Putting yourself out there means being vulnerable. If you assume that people love
you and want you to succeed… well, that makes stepping out of your comfort
zone that much easier.
The room feels warmer
somehow.
You’ve got this.
3. #FollowYourFear
And finally…
(And this is the biggest thing of all.)
Because very often when something
SCARES you, it’s the very thing
worth doing.
Thank you.
Ann Handley
Author, Speaker &
Chief Content Officer
AnnHandley.com
@marketingprofs

More Related Content

What's hot

Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711
Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711
Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711alondon1
 
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)What Not To Do (In Freelancing)
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)Pete Lancaster
 
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposal
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 ProposalImposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposal
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposalmaytaldahan
 
Inner compass - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...
Inner compass  - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...Inner compass  - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...
Inner compass - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...USGuide
 
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your LifeNathan Young
 
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?Kelvin Chan
 
From passion actionjune2016pdf
From passion actionjune2016pdfFrom passion actionjune2016pdf
From passion actionjune2016pdfPieter Spinder
 
KnowingDoingWinning
KnowingDoingWinningKnowingDoingWinning
KnowingDoingWinningKwai Yu
 
The story of how I was wrong!
The story of how I was wrong!The story of how I was wrong!
The story of how I was wrong!Clearpreso
 
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)Lindsay Foster
 
How I Draw My Road Drawings
How I Draw My Road DrawingsHow I Draw My Road Drawings
How I Draw My Road DrawingsNathan Young
 
Nathan Young Cover Letter
Nathan Young Cover LetterNathan Young Cover Letter
Nathan Young Cover LetterNathan Young
 
Alexander Rybak PPP Slideshow
Alexander Rybak PPP SlideshowAlexander Rybak PPP Slideshow
Alexander Rybak PPP SlideshowAlexander Rybak
 
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathising
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathisingImprove your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathising
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathisingChris Atherton @finiteattention
 
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard Way
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard WayTop 10 Things I Learned the Hard Way
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard WayKirstin Alvanitakis
 
A Safe Space? Social media for Girlguiding
A Safe Space? Social media for GirlguidingA Safe Space? Social media for Girlguiding
A Safe Space? Social media for GirlguidingLiz Cable
 

What's hot (20)

Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711
Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711
Top 10 Things I’Ve Learned In Prca 3711
 
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)What Not To Do (In Freelancing)
What Not To Do (In Freelancing)
 
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposal
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 ProposalImposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposal
Imposter syndrome SXSW 2019 Proposal
 
Inner compass - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...
Inner compass  - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...Inner compass  - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...
Inner compass - the difference between impossibilities and possibilities -- ...
 
Interrupting imposter syndrome
Interrupting imposter syndromeInterrupting imposter syndrome
Interrupting imposter syndrome
 
Be a Leader
Be a LeaderBe a Leader
Be a Leader
 
Mad+ux imposter syndrome presentation
Mad+ux imposter syndrome presentationMad+ux imposter syndrome presentation
Mad+ux imposter syndrome presentation
 
Evaluation 4.
Evaluation 4.Evaluation 4.
Evaluation 4.
 
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life
21 Things Geek And Nerd Characters Do So You Can Be Successful In Your Life
 
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?
KC4: Your Purpose Driven Life - What Is Your Reason For Living?
 
From passion actionjune2016pdf
From passion actionjune2016pdfFrom passion actionjune2016pdf
From passion actionjune2016pdf
 
KnowingDoingWinning
KnowingDoingWinningKnowingDoingWinning
KnowingDoingWinning
 
The story of how I was wrong!
The story of how I was wrong!The story of how I was wrong!
The story of how I was wrong!
 
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)
No=Yes (Trailblazers 2012)
 
How I Draw My Road Drawings
How I Draw My Road DrawingsHow I Draw My Road Drawings
How I Draw My Road Drawings
 
Nathan Young Cover Letter
Nathan Young Cover LetterNathan Young Cover Letter
Nathan Young Cover Letter
 
Alexander Rybak PPP Slideshow
Alexander Rybak PPP SlideshowAlexander Rybak PPP Slideshow
Alexander Rybak PPP Slideshow
 
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathising
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathisingImprove your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathising
Improve your UX: how to stop being angry and start empathising
 
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard Way
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard WayTop 10 Things I Learned the Hard Way
Top 10 Things I Learned the Hard Way
 
A Safe Space? Social media for Girlguiding
A Safe Space? Social media for GirlguidingA Safe Space? Social media for Girlguiding
A Safe Space? Social media for Girlguiding
 

Similar to #FollowTheFear: Do Things That Scare You

What Is The Relationship Between Hal And Me
What Is The Relationship Between Hal And MeWhat Is The Relationship Between Hal And Me
What Is The Relationship Between Hal And MeTammy Kordeliski
 
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test Essay
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test EssayMeyers Briggs Type Indicator Test Essay
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test EssayElizabeth Brooks
 
A Day Of Choices Short Story
A Day Of Choices Short StoryA Day Of Choices Short Story
A Day Of Choices Short StoryErica Spivey
 
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of Mine
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of MineThe Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of Mine
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of MineBuy Writing Paper UK
 
Building Or Buying A Computer
Building Or Buying A ComputerBuilding Or Buying A Computer
Building Or Buying A ComputerMarcy Gilman
 
Reflection On Who Moved My Cheese
Reflection On Who Moved My CheeseReflection On Who Moved My Cheese
Reflection On Who Moved My CheeseSarah Griego
 
Stephanie L. Powerpoint
Stephanie L. PowerpointStephanie L. Powerpoint
Stephanie L. Powerpointstephanielas
 
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451Peggy Johnson
 

Similar to #FollowTheFear: Do Things That Scare You (20)

Intuition Rough Draft
Intuition Rough DraftIntuition Rough Draft
Intuition Rough Draft
 
What Is The Relationship Between Hal And Me
What Is The Relationship Between Hal And MeWhat Is The Relationship Between Hal And Me
What Is The Relationship Between Hal And Me
 
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test Essay
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test EssayMeyers Briggs Type Indicator Test Essay
Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test Essay
 
A Day Of Choices Short Story
A Day Of Choices Short StoryA Day Of Choices Short Story
A Day Of Choices Short Story
 
Favorite Memory Research Paper
Favorite Memory Research PaperFavorite Memory Research Paper
Favorite Memory Research Paper
 
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of Mine
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of MineThe Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of Mine
The Embarrassing Moment Of A Friend Of Mine
 
Essay Fsot Personal Narrative Thoughts
Essay Fsot Personal Narrative ThoughtsEssay Fsot Personal Narrative Thoughts
Essay Fsot Personal Narrative Thoughts
 
Persuasive Narrative Essay
Persuasive Narrative EssayPersuasive Narrative Essay
Persuasive Narrative Essay
 
Essay About My Speech
Essay About My SpeechEssay About My Speech
Essay About My Speech
 
Sample Personal Narrative Essays
Sample Personal Narrative EssaysSample Personal Narrative Essays
Sample Personal Narrative Essays
 
School Experience Essay
School Experience EssaySchool Experience Essay
School Experience Essay
 
Building Or Buying A Computer
Building Or Buying A ComputerBuilding Or Buying A Computer
Building Or Buying A Computer
 
Reflection On Who Moved My Cheese
Reflection On Who Moved My CheeseReflection On Who Moved My Cheese
Reflection On Who Moved My Cheese
 
Stephanie L. Powerpoint
Stephanie L. PowerpointStephanie L. Powerpoint
Stephanie L. Powerpoint
 
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451
What Is The Theme Of Society In Fahrenheit 451
 
Persuasive Essay On Fitting In
Persuasive Essay On Fitting InPersuasive Essay On Fitting In
Persuasive Essay On Fitting In
 
Example Of Narrative Essay For The Great Gatsby
Example Of Narrative Essay For The Great GatsbyExample Of Narrative Essay For The Great Gatsby
Example Of Narrative Essay For The Great Gatsby
 
Lessons Learned
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Lessons Learned
 
Do Objects Only Have A Utilitarian Function Essay
Do Objects Only Have A Utilitarian Function EssayDo Objects Only Have A Utilitarian Function Essay
Do Objects Only Have A Utilitarian Function Essay
 
English Is My Favorite Subject
English Is My Favorite SubjectEnglish Is My Favorite Subject
English Is My Favorite Subject
 

More from Ann Handley

Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your Life
Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your LifeSlay the Ignosaurus; Change Your Life
Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your LifeAnn Handley
 
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of Content
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of ContentA Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of Content
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of ContentAnn Handley
 
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for Restaurants
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for RestaurantsContent Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for Restaurants
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for RestaurantsAnn Handley
 
The Formula for Innovative Content
The Formula for Innovative ContentThe Formula for Innovative Content
The Formula for Innovative ContentAnn Handley
 
A Simple Content Marketing Org Chart
A Simple Content Marketing Org ChartA Simple Content Marketing Org Chart
A Simple Content Marketing Org ChartAnn Handley
 
The Scoop on Content
The Scoop on ContentThe Scoop on Content
The Scoop on ContentAnn Handley
 
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business TravelA Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business TravelAnn Handley
 
What You Need to Know to Start a Business Blog
What You Need to Know to Start a Business BlogWhat You Need to Know to Start a Business Blog
What You Need to Know to Start a Business BlogAnn Handley
 
Three social media f words and five companies that use them
Three social media f words and five companies that use themThree social media f words and five companies that use them
Three social media f words and five companies that use themAnn Handley
 
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B ForumOverheard at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B ForumAnn Handley
 

More from Ann Handley (10)

Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your Life
Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your LifeSlay the Ignosaurus; Change Your Life
Slay the Ignosaurus; Change Your Life
 
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of Content
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of ContentA Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of Content
A Writing GPS: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Next Piece of Content
 
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for Restaurants
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for RestaurantsContent Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for Restaurants
Content Marketing in 15 Minutes a Day for Restaurants
 
The Formula for Innovative Content
The Formula for Innovative ContentThe Formula for Innovative Content
The Formula for Innovative Content
 
A Simple Content Marketing Org Chart
A Simple Content Marketing Org ChartA Simple Content Marketing Org Chart
A Simple Content Marketing Org Chart
 
The Scoop on Content
The Scoop on ContentThe Scoop on Content
The Scoop on Content
 
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business TravelA Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel
A Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel
 
What You Need to Know to Start a Business Blog
What You Need to Know to Start a Business BlogWhat You Need to Know to Start a Business Blog
What You Need to Know to Start a Business Blog
 
Three social media f words and five companies that use them
Three social media f words and five companies that use themThree social media f words and five companies that use them
Three social media f words and five companies that use them
 
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B ForumOverheard at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum
Overheard at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum
 

Recently uploaded

Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...
Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...
Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...Md Shaifullar Rabbi
 
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?StrengthsTheatre
 
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................calvinjamesmappala
 
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptx
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptxkids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptx
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptxJagrutiSononee
 
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffs
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffsasdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffs
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffsJulia Kaye
 
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...FaHaD .H. NooR
 
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, Conventions
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, ConventionsChapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, Conventions
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, ConventionsMd Shaifullar Rabbi
 
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdf
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdfBlockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdf
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdfVISHNURAJSSNSCEAD
 
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJF
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJFASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJF
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJFJulia Kaye
 
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfolio
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects PortfolioMoaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfolio
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfoliomoaaz el-shayeb
 
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptx
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptxwealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptx
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptxAnuragBhakuni4
 
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - Priv
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - PrivNashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - Priv
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - PrivNashonHolloway
 
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdf
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdfAudhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdf
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdfaudhinafh1
 
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP InternationalManu Mitra
 
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdf
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdfreStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdf
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdfKen Fuller
 
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptx
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptxSTORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptx
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptxsheenam bansal
 
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdfEducationView
 

Recently uploaded (17)

Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...
Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...
Chapter-4 Introduction to Global Distributions System and Computerized Reserv...
 
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?
How to Host a Successful Webinar for Success?
 
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................
Fireman Resume Strikuingly Text............................
 
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptx
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptxkids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptx
kids gpaddfghtggvgghhhuuuuuhhhgggggy.pptx
 
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffs
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffsasdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffs
asdfasdiofujasloidfoia nslkflsdkaf jljffs
 
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...
FAHAD HASSAN NOOR || UCP Business School Data Analytics Head Recommended | MB...
 
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, Conventions
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, ConventionsChapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, Conventions
Chapter-1 IATA, UFTAA, ICAO, FAA, CAA, ATAB, Conventions
 
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdf
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdfBlockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdf
Blockchain_TezosDeveloperCommunitySNSCE.pdf
 
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJF
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJFASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJF
ASDFSDFASDFASDFASDFOUIASHDFOIASUD FOIJSADO;IFJOISADJF
 
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfolio
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects PortfolioMoaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfolio
Moaaz Hassan El-Shayeb - Projects Portfolio
 
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptx
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptxwealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptx
wealth_spend_bharatpeVerse_Analysis .pptx
 
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - Priv
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - PrivNashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - Priv
Nashon Holloway - Media/Press Kit - Priv
 
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdf
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdfAudhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdf
Audhina Nur Afifah Resume & Portofolio_2024.pdf
 
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International
127. Reviewer Certificate in BP International
 
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdf
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdfreStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdf
reStartEvents March 28th TS/SCI & Above Employer Directory.pdf
 
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptx
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptxSTORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptx
STORY OF SUSAN & JUDY - CEREBRAL PALSY.pptx
 
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf
10 Things That Will Shape the Future of Education.pdf
 

#FollowTheFear: Do Things That Scare You

  • 1. FOLLOW THE FEAR Ann Handley Author, Speaker, Chief Content Officer AnnHandley.com @marketingprofs
  • 2. #FollowTheFear This is a talk I gave at Hubspot’s Inbound ‘13. Instead of dumping the slides here and letting you piece together what the heck I talked about, I thought I’d ANN-otate it for you (get it?) in these boxes. Thank you Doug Kessler for the inspiration for this ANN-otation.
  • 3. NO. #FollowTheFear When Hubspot first asked me to give a talk on its Bold Talks stage – a stage that was to represent an opportunity for attendees to “discover bold and powerful talks from a diverse group of exciting and influential people….” This was my first impulse: Actually, that’s not quite true. My first impulse was…
  • 4. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. Just Hell, NO. #FollowTheFear
  • 5. Hi. Ann Handley Author, Speaker, Chief Content Officer AnnHandley.com @marketingprofs This is the story of why NO was my first reaction. And how it came to be that I’m standing here now, giving a bold talk. Or how it came to be that you are reading this as a slide show. As with anything, the content matters more than the medium. (Media? I always get that confused.)
  • 6. A lot of people say they were shy children. But I took shy to a new depths: I wasn’t just shy. I was whatever is beyond shy. When I was 8 years old I started a running list in my diary of everything I was afraid of. Of things to avoid.
  • 7. Things that scare me…. It started out with a handful of the pedestrian fears…
  • 10. Being alone in the house.
  • 11. Stairs that don’t have a back riser. …but then it veered into some pretty broad, open territory.
  • 12. The smell of the cellar.
  • 19. I’d hear the sound of an unfamiliar car engine in the driveway and make a beeline for my room. I’d tuck myself into the small, dark space under my twin bed and stay there, simply wait it out (sometimes for hours), until I heard my parents calling goodbyes from the driveway, and the coast was clear for me to emerge. When my parents had guests over, I would avoid the entire awkward scene.
  • 20. #FollowTheFear Fourth grade, in particular, terrified me. I was 9. I had a loud, brash, outgoing teacher who believed that children learned best when they had plenty of room to express themselves and engage with the world around them.
  • 21. #FollowTheFear Our teacher dispatched with the typical classroom seating arrangement – desks in rows, children front-facing – and placed our desks in a large circle, so we could all see each other. We could all see who was talking (and someone always was), because she believed that ideas were worth discussing in an open, engaging forum.
  • 22. She was a phenomenal teacher.
  • 24. NO. She messed with my strategy for school, which was to keep my head down and do my worksheets. And during group discussion or class participation, to align yourself perfectly with the silhouette of the student directly in front of you, so you effectively disappeared. For a fear-filled, anxious child, her classroom was hell.
  • 25. #FollowTheFear So I decided to stop showing up. First, I had to secure the help of an unwitting adult who had the power to keep me out of school – in this case, my mother. I got really great at faking sick so I could stay home. You might think this is no big deal – but remember that I was doing this without the benefit of Google. Which was probably a good thing, considering what disturbing “illness” Google might have suggested for a 9-year-old.
  • 26. 32 days. #FollowTheFear Over a few months, I missed a LOT of school. My mother never thought too deeply about it. I was doing this in an era before “parenting” was invented. “Self-esteem” hadn’t been invented yet, either.
  • 27. #FollowTheFear One day that year, our teacher organized a surprise team-building exercise outside, on the field-hockey field. It was to go like this: Half of us got field hockey sticks. When she blew the whistle, those on the field would give their sticks to those on the sidelines, and the sidelined kids would take their positions.
  • 28. #FollowTheFear I’d like to tell you that I was as graceful as a Princess on the field hockey field.
  • 30. #FollowTheFear I was slow to claim a stick initially (no surprise there), so I was in the first sidelined group. Only when the whistle blew, instead of claiming my spot, I rushed at the jockiest, most athletic girl in our class, and I told her she could have a double-turn on the field. I knew she’d be thrilled at the prospect – and she was! She enthusiastically trotted back out to claim her (which should’ve been my) spot.
  • 31. #FollowTheFear I was counting on the teacher not noticing – in the chaos of the switch – that I was the only 4th grader to sit out the field hockey game. It was a tragic miscalculation on my part. Actually, the teacher didn’t notice me. But she noticed that the jock was back in the game, and she asked her why. The girl ratted me out. Next year’s Bold Talk at Hubspot is going to be on my historical distrust of female athletes. (Ha. I’m kidding.) Or am I…?
  • 32. F. My opt-out was a huge deal for a teacher who was trying to teach accountability, openness, discourse. My parents were hauled in. The principal was involved. For someone attempting to stay under the radar, it was a fail on an epic scale. At my next report card carried something I’d never seen before attached to my name…
  • 33. F. It hit me hard. If there was anything I valued more than going unnoticed, it was my grades. My grades were how I defined myself: I was someone who got As. If I got an F, who was I?
  • 34. #FollowTheFear I was 9 years old. It would be years before I would read The Scarlett Letter. But when I did read it I thought back to that F and thought, “I know exactly how Hester Prynne feels!”
  • 35. What opting out means. #FollowTheFear In the weeks and months and year that followed… it slowly dawned on me that opting out of things – whether it’s a field hockey game or something more important than that – means failure on a scale larger than an F on a report card.
  • 36. If you stay under your bed… if you stay off the field… if you say no before you consider a yes… you limit yourself. You pen yourself in. Opting out because you are scared, or awkward, or insecure, or unsure of the outcome earns you an F not just on a report card, but in life.
  • 37. So what? Can’t we live a perfectly happy life unfilled? Under the radar? Isn’t that spot under the bed quiet and cozy? Does it matter?
  • 38. I think it does, because to be loved means to be seen for who you are. And to be who you are means to explore the possibilities of what’s possible. It means to think about what’s possible for you, right now, before you define what’s impossible. So what? Can’t we live a perfectly happy life unfilled, under the radar? Isn’t that spot under the bed quiet and cozy? Does it matter?
  • 39. “The computer will do anything within its abilities. “But it will do nothing, unless commanded to do so.” – John Madea #FollowTheFear
  • 40. “The computer will do anything within its abilities. “But it will do nothing, unless commanded to do so.” – John Madea #FollowTheFear The artist and essayist Debbie Millman says that people are the same. We like to operate within our abilities. We like to stay in our comfort zones. But whereas the computer has fixed capacity -- based on its operating system or memory or programs or whatever – you and I don’t. “Our abilities are limited only by our perceptions,” Millman says.
  • 41. Years later after that day on the field hockey field, I can now articulate it, thanks to a quote I read by Amy Gahran: “Your comfort zone is your dead zone.” I limited my perception that day. I did for most of my childhood. But I don’t anymore.
  • 42. Except when I do. Because the truth is I still fight it. I still want to give someone instead of me a double- turn on the field hockey field. I still want to say NO. I still want to opt out. But instead of letting it derail me, I instead try to use the resistance to fuel my momentum – much the way that a sailboat uses the wind to power its effort toward where it wants to go.
  • 43. 1. Ask: So what? #FollowTheFear So here’s what helps. There are three things:
  • 44. 1. Ask: So what? #FollowTheFear What’s the worst that happen? I make a fool of myself on the field hockey field. So what? I embarrass myself here today, in front of all of you. So what? You go back to your offices and talks about how weird Ann Handley was as a child. So what?
  • 45. 1. Ask: So what? #FollowTheFear What’s the real power of that? I’ll survive. I’ll be ok. I’ll still have friends, family, people who love me. I’ll suffer some slight embarrassment at the hands of some, maybe. But at the same time, others will appreciate my message.
  • 46. 2. Assume people love you. If they don’t, assume they just don’t know you well enough yet. #FollowTheFear
  • 47. #FollowTheFea I learned this from my dog Simon, who passed away recently. Simon was a glorious optimist who greeted everyone he met with an unembarrassed enthusiasm.
  • 48. #FollowTheFea Simon assumed everyone loved him. And if you didn’t love him, he assumed you just needed to invest a little more time getting to know him. Because in his mind, he was worth knowing. Putting yourself out there means being vulnerable. If you assume that people love you and want you to succeed… well, that makes stepping out of your comfort zone that much easier. The room feels warmer somehow. You’ve got this.
  • 49. 3. #FollowYourFear And finally… (And this is the biggest thing of all.)
  • 50. Because very often when something SCARES you, it’s the very thing worth doing.
  • 51. Thank you. Ann Handley Author, Speaker & Chief Content Officer AnnHandley.com @marketingprofs