Let’s say you’ve thought it over carefully and decided to accept all the risks involved in expecting yourself to succeed.

You’re ready (self-forgiveness waiting in the wings) to do whatever it takes to set your sights and accomplish your goal.

As each of your fears shows up (and you can bet they will) and states its case (threats like “If you do this, you’ll be sorry”), you square your shoulders, raise your head, look right at the threat, and say, “I am willing to take the risk.”

(Success is much more a matter of courage than of ability.)
The conversation might go like this:
The Threat: If you do this, you will only be making a fool of yourself.
The Response: I’m willing to risk it.

The Threat: If you do this, you are going to make someone very mad.
The Response: I’m willing to risk it.  

The Threat: If you do this, you are going to hurt someone’s feelings.
The Response: (deep breath) I’m willing to risk it.

Now, here comes the tough part, the part that many will say is the greatest challenge: learning to acknowledge, reinforce, and even celebrate your progress.
To meet this challenge, you may have to change your beliefs about yourself 180 degrees. No small matter.

Taking a Risk.
Make a list of the fears and threats you are likely to encounter when you take the risk of expecting success from yourself.
Leave some space to add to your list as you become more aware of the threats.

– T Rutledge.