Excerpt from CHAPTER 3 – Looking Fear in the Face

“Bravery is acknowledging your fear and doing it anyway.”
– Cheryl Strayed

Everyone has moments of self-doubt, especially when you are
expected to be the expert with a quickly accessible best response. It’s
natural to second-guess yourself when put on the spot, wondering if
you’re offering the correct information or making the best choice.

But deep down, beneath the layers of self-doubt, I encourage you
to tap into that quiet but unwavering belief that you will figure out
what it will take to succeed. This inner assurance reminds you that,
even in unfamiliar territory, you have the capacity to learn, adapt, and
grow. This is an important consideration: confidence doesn’t always
come from knowing everything at the outset but from trusting your
ability to acquire the skills and knowledge needed along the way.

I needed to learn that lesson the hard way by looking my fear in the face.
A strange combination of fear and courage defined my midtwenties to early thirties. In this decade, fear of failure became my constant companion and greatest motivator. Since childhood, the fear of not being good enough had shadowed me, urging me to push harder, do better, and keep proving that I was worthy of love. This fear had a particular benefit—the more doubt whispered into my ear, the more it fueled my fierce determination to prove it wrong.

This complicated relationship with fear has, at times, held me in its grip, inflicting me with intense feelings of self-doubt. Yet, paradoxically, it has also propelled me toward achievements I never thought possible. My own experiences with self-doubt and fear have sharpened my ability to recognize it in others when providing care. This recognition creates a powerful connection and allows me to hold space for their fear while reflecting back my belief in their
strength and resilience.

This chapter is a tribute to everyone who’s ever felt held back by
fear or the sting of past failures.

It’s for those moments when selfdoubt whispered that you weren’t ready or good enough, and that voice stopped you from going after that dream job, taking that certification exam, asking for the raise you deserved, or daring to do something bold to improve patient care. You’ll learn how you can reframe those feelings as fuel for growth. Through shared stories and insights, you will start to see fear not as a barrier but as a steppingstone toward greater resilience, courage, and fulfillment.