Fear Lives in the Unknown. Replace It with a Plan.
2 min readFear and anxiety live in the unknown.
We get stuck when we don’t know what’s next, or when the future feels too big, too vague, too out of our control. Whether it’s work, family, health, money—uncertainty can creep in and eat up your energy before you’ve even taken a step. Sitting in front of that big unknown can be very scary and overwhelming.
What helps?
A plan.
Not the perfect plan. Not the guaranteed-to-work plan. Just a plan. Something to run. A playbook. A starting point.
For me, I’m building a new business from zero—a coaching practice and a new career. That’s a lot of unknowns. And it’d be easy to spin out. But I’ve got a plan. I’m treating it like a SaaS business. I have revenue goals and to achieve them, I need leads, I need qualified opportunities, I need to know my ICP, etc... So I’m borrowing from what I’ve done before—sales, marketing, positioning, pricing—and applying it here.
Is it going to work? I have no idea. But I’m not stuck wondering. I’m working the plan.
The plan gives me direction. It helps me measure progress. And most importantly, it gives the anxiety less room to breathe.
This isn’t a post about what your plan should be. It’s about having one.
You can always adjust. But you can’t adjust something that doesn’t exist.
If you’re in the “sort of” or “not yet” camp—what’s holding you back? Hit reply or leave a comment. I read every one.
I’d love to hear from you.
FAQ
Q: What is the most common mistake CEOs make?
A: Confusing activity with progress. The best CEOs focus relentlessly on the few things that actually move the needle, not on being busy.
Q: How can executive coaching help startup founders?
A: A coach provides an outside perspective, helps you see blind spots, and creates accountability for the changes you know you need to make but keep putting off.
Q: What separates good CEOs from great ones?
A: Great CEOs create clarity, build trust, and make decisions with speed and conviction. They respond rather than react, and they invest in their own growth as leaders.
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