A lot is written about fear. Fear of failure, fear of success. Fear of taking the next step, fear of not taking it. It is an emotion that can permeate both our private and professional lives. For all the analysis and sensationalizing, some fears can get blown up out of proportion.

Two recent yet, completely disconnected events got me thinking about just that and how sometimes we need reminding that ultimately the one person who is in charge of how we handle our fears is us.

When  asked at a networking meeting why I became an entrepreneur; I tossed off the answer ‘because I don't play well with others'. Which is true, I like working for myself, not being answerable to anyone and only having to run most major decisions past the dogs who always agree with me. However that doesn't mean that I don't second guess myself or want someone to brainstorm with when I have a challenge but the thing is if I exist in that place of uncertainty then the business will become stagnant. If I don't keep the fears in proportion I might as well work at McDonalds™ and be told what to do for 8 hours.

Then last week I woke up at 1:30am because my heart was doing its atrial fibrillation thing. The occasional reoccurrence of this condition always brings me fleetingly face to face with my own mortality. It's the early morning hours I can go there but only for a fleeting moment. What I can do when the rhythm is back to normal and the nausea and dizziness have subsided is quickly resume my life. I embrace what is within my control; the lifestyle choices by way of diet, exercise, relaxation methods and my overall state of mind.

Once we recognize the cause of our fear we can then ensure that we are managing it not vice versa. We need to put our fears in perspective in order to keep our lives, businesses and relationships moving forward.