Fear has a way of telling convincing stories, but they aren’t always truthful.

In fact, according to multiple studies on anxiety and overthinking, as many as 85% of the things we are afraid of never happen.

Imagine what your life would be like if you had known your odds were that good, and you actually took 85% more chances than you otherwise would have. Would you have started that business you dreamed of? Married that girl? Gone back to school, or moved away for college in the first place? Would you have tried for that job you felt like you weren’t qualified for? Taken that partnership? Would you have dreamed bigger?

In this blog, we’re going to look at transforming fear and turning it into visionary action. While “visionary action” might sound like a caption on a motivational poster depicting someone standing on a mountain top (you’re not entirely wrong), it’s really about turning moments of fear into bold, forward-thinking moves that shape the future you want, not the one fear wants you to settle for.

Let’s dive in.

Why Fear Is a Hidden Asset for Visionaries

Fear tells us that something is unsafe, possibly deadly, and definitely something we need to worry about. That may have been more true for our ancestors who lived in caves millennia ago, but there’s still some relevance in it today.

In my life, fear has always been sort of a prerequisite for visionary moves: a new proposal, a new position, an IPO…you get the picture. In fact, if I’m not prepared to do something worthwhile, fear probably wouldn’t show up quite so much.

If I am not afraid, I have to ask myself, “Is it really a worthwhile endeavour?”

For someone with a vision, fear signals weight, gravitas, consequence, and challenge. Courageous leadership involves overcoming the odds and personal transformation that shakes people to their core. In the presence of someone willing to go out on such a limb, others feel empowered to do the same.

After all, what is life without a seemingly impossible challenge? Imagine your favorite superhero movie without a powerful antagonist to give the hero a run for their money. The good guy would always win, right from the get-go. I don’t know about y’all, but that’s not a movie I’m paying to see.

Reframing Fear

I think one of the most important things I have ever done was to reframe fear as an opportunity to do something great. Even if you see it as an opportunity to do something relatively ordinary, if you overcome a fear in order to do it, that makes your action extraordinary, wouldn’t you say?

Fear WILL rear its little head when you are trying to do something of consequence, no matter how great your conviction. It’s what you choose to do at that moment that either propels you forward or causes you to shrink from the challenge and regress.

Have you ever heard people say that “Pain is certain in life, but suffering is optional”? I think of fear the same way: Fear is certain in life, but paralysis is optional.

In order to do great things, you must first overcome great fear. The good news is that it’s entirely possible, and you’ve probably done it a million times before. You can get to a point in life where you feel the fear, and you do it anyway. After all, fear is the calling card of trailblazers and visionaries alike.

Practical Steps to Turn Fear into Bold Action

I find that people experience the most success in their lives when they can identify exactly what the steps are to move them in the right direction. You can do the same thing using these practical steps to transform fear into bold action. 

1. Name the Fear Clearly

When people do target training, they’ll say, “You can’t shoot what you can’t see.” Well, overcoming fear works in a similar fashion. If you don’t know—or won’t admit—what you’re struggling to overcome, it’s a lot harder to reach your goal. Look at your fear head-on and call it what it is.

2. Get Grounded in Your “Why”

Fear feels smaller when purpose feels bigger. When I was in the midst of Primerica’s IPO and worried I might fail, I would take out my book of employees and just flip through it. I had to remember that the purpose behind the huge, scary challenge I was facing was so much bigger than just me. I was doing it for them. That recognition made all the difference in the world.  

3. Shrink the Step, Not the Goal

Break bold action into one manageable move you can take today. People worry about what they need to do over the next five to ten years to reach their goal. I suggest they look at what they can do over the next five to ten minutes that keeps them pointed in the right direction. Incremental success builds up so much faster than you’d ever imagine, all without overwhelming yourself for weeks, months, and years on end. 

4. Expect Discomfort. Do the Hard Thing Anyway

Fear doesn’t disappear with clarity; it disappears with momentum. I find that when I can take small, measurable steps toward my goal, fear will generally decrease as I go. Now, that’s not to say it won’t come back. Fear is like an ocean that ebbs and flows. You have to expect the waves to be there. But forward momentum will help you power through. 

5. Surround Yourself with Courage

Fear is contagious, but so is bravery. I always warn people to be careful who they give the keys to their brain to. If you sit around with people who are negative and who complain all day long about their own shortcomings and those of others, you won’t find the determination you need. Choose friends that bolster your efforts, encourage one another, and celebrate small wins together. 

In the beginning, overcoming fear can feel a lot like that old question: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The truth is, small, consistent effort leads to steady growth and forward movement. Before you know it, you’ll be standing on the other side of the fear you once thought would stop you in your tracks.

Cultivating Visionary Habits 

I want to leave y’all with a short list of visionary-thinking tactics that will help you prepare to make the kinds of big moves you want to make in life. 

1. Make Time for Big-Picture Thinking

It may seem counterintuitive, but bold vision doesn’t shout, it whispers. You’ve got to slow down to hear it. I find a good mindfulness practice really helps with this. For example, my best big-picture thinking happens when I’m gardening. It’s when I’m on my knees, focused on my hands in the soil, that I can think most clearly. 

(You can find more on mindfulness in my free leadership course, Mission Leadership.)

2. Train Yourself to Ask “What’s Next?”

Visionaries don’t just solve today’s problems, they anticipate tomorrow’s. While I encourage people not to think too far ahead, getting a general idea of what the next phase of your goal looks like is always a good practice. Much of science fiction is a precursor to science fact. It takes those who are willing to dream of the seemingly impossible for a bright and visionary future to take shape. 

3. Stay Curious, Not Complacent

Keep learning, keep listening, and never assume you’ve arrived. I like to say that staying humble can keep you from a stumble. The truth is that there is ALWAYS more to learn. I don’t care if you know your own company inside out. You can always look to the future with curiosity. 

4. Practice Saying “No” to the Wrong Things

Vision grows when distractions shrink. Protect your focus like it’s sacred. Most people move through life like an octopus on roller skates: a whir of activity with no general direction. To make real progress, you have to know where you’re headed and stay focused on the path ahead. That means setting boundaries—and not apologizing for them—especially when they’re protecting the future you’re working toward.

5. Surround Yourself with Possibility-Minded People

Your vision needs air, not anchors. Again, choose a company that fuels momentum. Surround yourself with courage. It is critical to align yourself with positive folks who are possibility-focused.

Final Thoughts

Fear will always try to make the first move, but you get to decide what happens next. Whether you’re facing a personal decision or a bold business leap, the first step is choosing forward momentum. Reframe your fear, take frequent, incremental steps forward, and surround yourself with people who lift you higher.

If this blog inspired you, share it with someone who needs a push to take bold action. Want more insights like this? Join my newsletter for leadership tips and encouragement straight to your inbox.

Ready to dive deeper into the role fear plays in our lives? Get my newest book, Turn Your Fear into Fuel, or reach out today to learn how I can help you or your team transform fear into powerful, visionary action.