It was July 2021, and I was supporting Microsoft clients as a Sharepoint Engineer. the pay wasn’t the best so I applied for a new job.

The truth is I wanted to be an entrepreneur, a coach, a paid speaker, simple but I wanted to be my own boss, the CEO of my own life!

However the demands of life and my core value of being able to take care of my family weigh heavenly on that dream.

So instead of taking the entrepreneurial path I applied for a better-paying job with better benefits and everything.

My girlfriend, who's now my fiancé, and I saw this as a fresh start. She found a job in Shanghai, and I used the remaining of my savings to secure a new apartment closer to the city center.

3 days before my resignation I received this message on my phone.

Shane: "I'm sorry that I have to tell you this under these circumstances, but our legal team said they won't be able to issue you a work permit."

Deano: "What do you mean they won't be able to issue a work permit? I already told my team I'm leaving and submitted my resignation. Shane, you told me that everything was good to go?"

Shane: "I'm sorry, Deano, but because of a recent policy change that we just became aware of, we are not able to hire you anymore."

Deano: "You've got to be kidding me. Can we meet in person and talk about this? There must be a way for us to figure this out."

Shane: "I'm sorry, Deano, but there's nothing that we can do, and meeting won't change the situation. I suggest you ask your previous employer back for your job or find another opportunity."

My spirit left my body.

It felt like time paused, and I was drowning in all the worst possibilities. What do I say to my partner? How will I afford rent? Where can I find a new job?

I didn't know what to do; I felt stuck and I was angry. go back to my previous employer? not happening.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, this thought came to me:

"Ask for help, Deano. Ask for help."

The obvious answer, but for me, it wasn't because just like you, I also suffer from a serious case of helper’s syndrome.

This means I’m always the first to help but the last to ask for help.

However my back was against the wall, so I called the one person I trust the most, and I asked for help. Back then, my heart was filled with the desire to make a difference through coaching, but the shadow of perfectionism to the best of me.

I felt the weight of needing to have it all figured out before taking that daring leap into the world of entrepreneurship. Doubts and uncertainties held me back, and I found myself hesitating to embrace my coaching dream fully.

I immediately called my partner:

I was scared and I vulnerably shared my struggles, expressing my fear of not being good enough. With a reassuring smile, she said;

Her words echoed in my soul, awakening a newfound sense of courage and determination. With her by my side, I decided to embrace my imperfections

That day I began taking small steps toward my entrepreneurial dream. Through this journey of embracing imperfect action, my dream slowly took shape.

I rediscovered the power of progress over perfection, and the weight of fear and hesitation started to lift.

It's okay to face uncertainties and challenges on this path; it's through these beautifully imperfect endeavors that you find your true calling and make an impact on others.

As kids, we don't learn to walk perfectly. We stumble, fall, and try again. Each step builds momentum. Life is like climbing a mountain trail. It's tempting to only move when the path is perfect. But then we'd never start. With each step, we gain traction and momentum despite rocks along the way.

The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I’d like to remind you that your fear and doubts do make sense on some level however you don’t need to be a perfect start, your authenticity and willingness to learn are what truly matter.

Below you will find the best coaching question that I use to help my highest-paid clients develop a level of bulletproof confidence on their journey to chase their dreams.

These are designed to help you find your emotional truth and transformation so that means the more you put into these questions the more you are going to get out of them.

Coaching Questions

1. Tell me what courage means to you, and about a time in your life you felt you were stepping up.

2. Are there any people or situations in your life right now that you feel you could be stepping up more?

3. What do you tend to worry about or fear the most in life?

4. Is there anyone in your life who you feel you are not being more honest with when it comes to your true feelings?

5. If you had even more courage, what would you stop doing right now? What would you start doing?

I want you to answer these questions as If you are having a 1:1 with me. Find a quiet place and be as open and honest as you can because the more you put into this the more you will get out of it.

Then let's transition into your High-Performance activity so that we can put this into practice.

Courage Checklist

Where does courage come from? How do we start to gain more confidence and courage in our lives? The answers lie not only in moments of crisis but in how we live each day of our lives Beyond obvious fears for physical safety, our anxieties tend to center around three key areas.

First, we fear loss - that in pursuing change or advancement, we'll sacrifice something precious. Familiarity breeds comfort, even if dysfunctional. Letting go means leaping into the unknown.

Second, we fear the pain of change itself. Growth stretches us. The process can be messy, and intense and at times seem impossible. Our instinct is often to avoid struggle.

Third, we fear unfulfilled outcomes. What if all the blood, sweat, and tears aren't worth it? The grass may not be greener. Better the devil you know than potential disappointment.

These three core fears - of loss, process, and outcome - are the silent saboteurs that hold us back. But living congruently with our highest Self demands, we feel the discomfort and lean in any way.

On the other side of sacrifice, struggle, and surrender lies the life we know is possible. Our deepest calling beckons like a lighthouse through the fog of fear. It's time to set sail.

Step 1: Awareness of What you fear

Think of a change you have avoided making or a dream you have not moved towards, and complete the sentences below for greater insight...

1. I haven’t changed or chased my dreams with more courage and commitment because I’m afraid I might lose...

2. I haven’t changed or chased my dreams with more courage and commitment because I’m afraid the process might bring on these hardships in my life…

3. I haven’t changed or chased my dreams with more courage and commitment because I’m afraid that despite all the effort the outcome might be not-so-good and I could end up...

4. When I overcome all my fears and dare to take action and improve my life will be different in this way...

Step 2: Expressing our real needs, thoughts, feelings, and ambitions to others

It takes courage to tell the world what you’re about and how you’re thinking. Doing it more consistently will cultivate a stronger confidence in your heart and social world. Complete the sentence below:

1. If I’m honest, I haven’t been communicating my real thoughts, feelings, needs, and ambitions to the following people... and it’s costing me...

2. A person and situation I am dedicated to addressing in the next five days is... and this is why and how!

Step 3: Consistently creating and responding to challenges in our lives by taking imperfect action.

Taking bold action builds an unshakable sense of self. Those who move forward courageously in the face of challenge embody resilience.

When we live congruent with our highest truth, confidence follows. We develop clarity on our purpose and capabilities. Hesitation is replaced by conviction.

Of course, the call to action can feel intimidating. Fear whispers that we're inadequate or destined to fail. But we must not listen.

Commit today to taking a few bold leaps forward in your life.

Three areas I'm going to take more bold action in the next 60 days are :

1. a

2. b

3. c

..and here’s what I’m going to do!

1. a

2. b

3. c

That's a wrap! every step you take helps to develop a greater sense of confidence and self-assurance.

Remember to take imperfect action and the rest will take care of itself. What leaps of faith does your soul urge you toward?

What next step makes your heart race? That feeling is intrinsic wisdom, urging you onward.

I’d love to hear from you, share your biggest insight with me via email or LinkedIn here: Deano Delpleash.