What if ...

Try this quick exercise and remove any obstacle in your way today … [The Writer’ s Life]( May 20, 2022 "Seek to meet the unknown with courage and a sense of adventure." – Jonathan Lockwood Huie {NAME}, What's the "what if" that pops up most often for you right now? We hear a long list in every single class and live event that we run … "What if I don't hear back from a potential client?" (Move on to the next one.) "What if they take my idea but then don't hire me?" (This is extremely rare! But you wouldn't want to work with that client, anyway. Simply take your great ideas elsewhere.) "What if I don't know anything about contracts?" (We have [templates]( for EVERYTHING. And there's always Google. Never let something like this slow you down!) At the start of this paid writing journey, people tend to imagine obstacles that are way in the future … don't exist … and may never happen … And then use those what-ifs as a reason to keep "getting ready" before reaching out to that first client. But even seasoned writers still fall into this trap too. Guilty! 🙋 ♀️ Of course, it all stems from fear. It's more comfortable to imagine something going wrong and use that as an excuse not to start … Than it is to actually reach out to that first client and land a paid gig! Everyone struggles with this at some point … I'll tell you how to get past it in a second, but first — here's why this happens … Fear is hard-wired into our "cave brains." Your cave brain is that base-level, animal instinct … An ancient program designed to keep you physically safe and alive. Since leaving the cave to try something new meant potentially meeting with danger or death (saber-toothed tigers!) … When you even think about trying something new with an uncertain outcome … It interprets "new" as unsafe. It uses FEAR to steer you clear of it … And spins up horror stories 100x worse than anything that would likely ever happen … So that you'll retreat back into the safety of the cave. But life is so GOOD out in the sun and fresh air! Especially now that we don't have any saber-tooth tigers to worry about. 😉 Obviously, those big, physical dangers of cave times are long-gone … but the part of our brains that tries to keep us safe is still there. So, how can you get past that primal programming … so you CAN build something new — Like a successful writing hustle (or career)? Every time you feel that paralyzing fear rising up … Write down all the things your brain is coming up with. All the future possibilities that "could go wrong." Go down all the rabbit holes it can possibly imagine. Keep asking, "Is that all? What else?" Then, once your mind has exhausted itself, take a deep breath … And start analyzing the list. First, go through each item and ask yourself: How likely is this, really? If it's not likely (or doesn't really matter — like someone "taking" your idea), then cross it off the list. Next, look at what's left and ask: Which of these items matter right now? My bet is — not many, if any. Now — here's the best part. If there's one "what if" that matters right this moment … That is truly stopping you from reaching out to someone to propose a new blog article … Or offering to write some copy for a friend's business … Ask yourself: What do I need to get past this? Then, go find the answer. One of my favorite sayings is: You can't un-ring a bell. What that means is — as soon as you find the answer, you can't un-learn it. Now, that "obstacle" you wrote down no longer matters. This is an important thing to remember at the beginning of your writing career … and even after you've become a successful writer, knocking out high-paid projects left and right. 😊 Because the only obstacle that matters is the one that's right in front of you. (That is — IF — it exists!) The best way to overcome fear is with action … And your end goal — ultimate freedom & control of your life, doing creative work that fulfills you — is SO worth it! Now, if your first obstacle is: Who will pay me to write if I don't have experience? Then you're in luck! Today, you can catch the replay of yesterday's training on breaking into one of the BIGGEST, hungriest markets for new writers right now — for free! — [right here](. We'll eliminate those obstacles and clear the path for you. And in the future … If there's any question or obstacle that you CAN'T find an answer to — just [reach out to us](! We are more than happy to help get it out of your way so you can keep moving forward. Here's to your sun-filled life "outside the cave." 😎 [Rebecca Matter’ s signature] Rebecca LAST CHANCE: Test Drive AWAI's Copywriting Program for $29 [ATD Product Spread]If you've ever been curious about copywriting, TODAY is your chance to test-drive our flagship program The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter for just $29. You'll get hands-on experience … get feedback and direction from pro writers … build your portfolio … and get help landing clients … In just four weeks! [But hurry, this test-drive offer ends tonight!]( What's Hot at AWAI … 👉 [Here's where the BIGGEST opportunity is for new writers right now — and how to break in.]( 🤓 If you're new to freelance writing, [here are 4 of the easiest projects to master](! 🤑 Boost your confidence (and income!) [with this insight on where the industry is going](. "Totally Psyched"! [Social media post about being nervous but moving forward] You can do it, Chuck! We believe in you 100%. Excellent job saying "YES." You've got this! Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! Your ALL-ACCESS Key — Just $1! Get instant access to the exclusive B2B writing community and ALL their private resources, including … - All the success roadmaps … - All the writing templates … - All the articles … - All the how-to videos … - All 150+ training webinars … - The Forum, the Job Board, the tutorials, the tools … - And much more! [Go Here For More Details]( Featured Writing Jobs Content Writers – Brian Johnson – E3 Association Freelance, Intern, B2B, Remote Your responsibilities would of course include conducting thorough research on industry-related topics, generating ideas for new content types and proofreading articles before publication. 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