Greetings,

As you contemplate how to thrive despite recession fears or prepare for important year-end conversations, we urge you to focus on the things that you can control.

These insights from April 2019 are one great example:

Have you ever walked up to a door, stood there silently, and had the door open? Aside from the grocery store, probably not very often. Usually the doors that open are the ones on which you've knocked. This is my response to those who are afraid to ask for something, whether it be new business, a raise, or a promotion.

The fear that we may get a "no" — the fear of failure — often keeps us from trying new things, in business and in life. But as countless examples and volumes of research prove, failure and its accompanying lessons are key to success. I encourage you to consider whether fear is holding you back from achieving what you want. 

• Is there an ask you'd like to make, but have been avoiding for fear of hearing "no"?
• Is fear of failure keeping you from trying something new that could make a big impact on your life or business?
• What do you really have to lose?

The thought of failure or "no" is scary, but I encourage you to set aside the fear and take the chance. When something fails, count it as a lesson learned. You're one step closer to what does work when you know what doesn't! When you hear "no," take the opportunity to ask what could make that a "yes."

I'd love to hear about how you translate failures into opportunities. Reply to this email, and let's chat.