Feel The Fear

Ever been stopped in your tracks by fear? I have.

Ever thought ‘I’m just one person, what can I do to change things?’ I have.

What if you were to feel the fear and do it anyway? What would you do?

And yeah, you are just one person, but what if you were to just be yourself and do what you can? What if that were enough?

On route to Cambodia to begin my work in anti-trafficking, fear kicked in. I doubted myself. Big time. The facts overwhelmed me:

▪       The Asia Pacific Region accounts for 73% of the global total of forced sexual exploitation.

▪       There are more than 4.8 million victims; 99.4% are women and girls.

▪       Profits are estimated as high as A$41 billion per year. 

I was just one person, what could I possibly do? 

I learned a valuable lesson on the plane to Cambodia. Overhearing a story about a man named Bob:

Bob was asked by two Christians if he prayed. He didn’t. They told him to pray twice a day and if a miracle didn't happen within six months, they’d give him five hundred dollars.’ Bob accepted.

They asked him what he would pray for. ‘Kenya’ he replied. For the next few months Bob prayed twice a day for Kenya.

Sometime later Bob met two people at a function. To his surprise they were from Kenya. They were amazed at his knowledge of Kenya and spoke to him about a particular orphanage. They suggested he visit, which he did.

A few months after returning home, Bob was astounded to find out that the orphanage had received over one million dollars worth of pharmaceuticals and medicines as a result of letters he had written. 

Later Bob was invited to attend the orphanage’s birthday party, in appreciation of his support. Bob mingled with prestigious individuals and government officials. One of these people invited Bob to visit a prison. He accepted.

During his visit, Bob saw a group of prisoners and asked the official why these prisoners had been apprehended. ‘They’re political prisoners,’ the official replied.

‘I don't think they should be in prison’ said Bob.

Some months later the White House called Bob to thank him. The prisoners had been freed, after more than 15 years! When asked why, the response was ‘because Bob told us to’.

Is the story true? I’ve no idea! But I learned from it nevertheless. It reminded me of the power of one.

I decided to be open, and unattached to outcomes. I was reminded that nobody can expect themselves to do everything, but everybody can do something. 

The fear dissipated. This lesson helped me take the next step with greater ease and more confidence.

#feelthefearanddoitanyway #dowhatmatters #businessmatters

Nicky Mih believes in our capacity to live and lead differently. Her book Do What Matters: what leading a child protection organisation in Cambodia taught me about life and leadership is an Amazon #1 best seller in the categories of Business Ethics and Business Leadership. Do What Matters is available on Amazon and freetoshine.org/dowhatmatters