How To Become More Successful By Facing Your Fear Of Business.

by John Follis

Recently, I found myself in a Mexican desert doing things like walking backwards off an eight story cliff and trying to get a scorpion out of my backpack. Two of my last three vacations have been with Outward Bound. If you're not familiar with Outward Bound, just imagine the opposite of Club Med; instead of Pina Coladas, you get powdered milk. And without going into detail about the facilities, let's just say a Port-o-potty would've been a luxury.

My most recent Outward Bound experience involved "repelling" down an eight story rock face. The other was a climb to the summit of Mt. Massive -- the second highest peak in the Rockies. While it's never easy rationalizing a vacation that may cause bleeding, at least now my day-to-day business challenges don't seem quite as frightening. As a self-employed ad exec who deals with entrepreneurial fear on a regular basis I'm constantly seeking out ways to better handle my fear and learn how to keep things in perspective. Like Outward Bound.

Self-employment (and business in general) is often resisted by many smart, highly talented folk who think they just don't have that business gene. I know -- I was one of them. It's that ol' left brain, right brain thing. For example, I once worked with a super-talented creative director who hated the business side so much he couldn't even handle wearing a business suit for a whole day. The day of a big meeting he'd come to work in his T-shirt and jeans and minutes before the big meeting he'd jump into his office, shut the door, and emerge in a suit. It was like watching Superman. The second the meeting was over he'd jump back into his office, rip off the suit, and get back into his T-shirt. So, clearly, some folks have a problem dealing with the business side of business. Unfortunately, no matter how great your skill or talent is, you will experience limited success without developing a head for business.

Some people may argue that you can simply hook up with a good business partner. These people apparently assume that (said) business partner will be totally trustworthy with only your best interests in mind. Um, ok. But, based on personal experience I can tell you that even if you do get a good partner, it's imperative to develop your business acumen. And, the more, the better. Keep in mind that non-business people like Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul McCartney, are successful in big part because they've learned how to become savvy business people themselves.

So, how does one learn? Books, articles, courses and lectures are all helpful. Or, if you're like me, walking off a cliff. But, perhaps the best teacher is experience. So, if you really want to learn it, like the ad says: "Just do it." And, if you do, you will discover two things:

1) Anyone can become a good business person if they really want to. And... 2) Being a good business person doesn't mean you'll never find a scorpion in your backpack.