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I started working with a writing coach last year. I was craving accountability and guidance as I attempted, for the umpteenth year in a row, to make more time for a regular writing practice.  

She asked me, “Maegan, what do you really want from this experience?” 

We’d been working on writing for my business (emails, sales pages, website copy, etc) but she could sense that wasn’t really where my heart was at. 

“Well,” I hesitated, “what I really want to do… is write fiction.” 

She blinked. 

She’s from NYC and has a very East Coast blink. It’s a blink that silently communicates, “I hear you, and also, you’re full of shit”, but with kindness. How do they do that?!

“Okay, so, write fiction.”

Another blink. 

“… but I don’t know how to write fiction,” I replied lamely. 

“Maegan, I think you’re so used to being good at things that you’ve forgotten how to be a beginner. You’ve forgotten that sometimes you just have to do it. You’re hesitating because you’re lacking confidence, but this isn’t about confidence, it’s about courage.”

She dropped a truth bomb that sent a shock wave through my entire nervous system.

Courage is being willing to take the risk knowing you might fall flat on your face. 

It’s the only option you have when you’re trying something new. You must channel the courage to do the new thing over and over again. Eventually, it won’t feel new anymore. Eventually, you’ll become kind of good at it. Eventually, you’ll feel sort of confident!

But if you’re waiting to feel confident before you embark on a new adventure… 

Well, it’s very likely you’ll never embark on a new adventure. 👎👎👎

I’m reminded of the therapists I talk to who have dreams of moving beyond private practice but are too paralyzed by fear to do anything about it. 

They say things like: 

→ “But I don’t know how to do that…”
→ “I’m not talented/special/smart enough to do that…”
→ “I don’t think it’s possible for me to do that…” 

To be clear, these are all lies spun by protective inner-critics who have confused confidence with courage! 

Of course you don’t feel confident in your ability to create something beyond private practice. It would be kind of nuts if you did because you cannot feel confident about something you’ve never done before!

Here’s the dreamiest thing a new coaching client can say to me → “Maegan, I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m really scared that I’m going to fail, but I have a lot of passion and I want to try.” 

BAM. That’s courage! 

And courage, in my opinion, is worth 10x more than an over-inflated sense of confidence. 

Today, I want to inject you with courage! 

Prepare yourself for a cliche → You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. 

I know, eye-roll, but also, it’s true! All of your good ideas and positive intentions mean nothing if you’re not willing to step into the unknown with courage and conviction. 

If you’re ready to embark on your next adventure but don’t want to do it alone, I’d love for you to join me in Next-Level Therapist. Think of it as a safe container where I help you tap into the courage you need to bring your big ideas to life. 

To be clear, you don’t need a lick of confidence to get started on your journey beyond private practice. All you need is courage. By the end of our 6 months together, some of that courage will have transformed into confidence! 

If this speaks to you, click here to review the details and apply for our April cohort. 

If you have any questions, hit reply to this email and share them with me. I’d be happy to help you determine (1) if this program is right for you and (2) if I am the right coach for you. 

In the meantime, I’m gonna continue soothing my shaky insides while channeling the courage to practice writing fiction. Maybe I’ll share something with you one day… but definitely not until I feel a bit more confident 🤪!