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Everyone is scared to launch their first program.

Someone asked recently: what if I\\u2019m REALLY scared to launch my program. Like\\u2026what if there are powerful individuals and structures out there who might want to do me harm?

What if putting myself out there associated with this work might actually be dangerous to me or my family?

GREAT question. Let\\u2019s agree NOT to give it the usual online marketing answer: \\u201cJust do the mindset work.\\u201d

This visibility stuff comes up for ALL of us. I have it. Everyone I\\u2019ve ever worked with has had work come up around their childhood, their upper limits, self esteem, or imposter syndrome.

We all need and deserve to do some important work around getting visible, using our voices, and taking up space.

AND\\u2026it\\u2019s gaslighting to say it\\u2019s the same for everyone.

When you are deciding to get more visible and you\\u2019ve got a marginalized identity or you\\u2019re sharing messages that oppose our power structures, your visibility work is not just about getting out of your own way.

For example, if you\\u2019re speaking out against anti-black racism or you\\u2019re talking about fat liberation or trans liberation, you\\u2019re being brave in a significant ADDITIONAL way.

My niche is not as risky. I\\u2019m a business coach & strategist. Yes, I\\u2019m queer and I\\u2019m a woman. AND I have lots of privilege: having money, being white, being cis-gendered\\u2026 and on and on.

Even with all of that privilege, I absolutely need and deserve to have colleagues I can get really vulnerable with and feel through my own visibility and exposure fears. We all do.

In terms of this question: \\u201cWhat should I do if I\\u2019m REALLY afraid to launch my program? Should I switch niches? Should I move forward?\\u201d

I do not have the right answer for you. I don\\u2019t think there is one.

Here are a couple things I\\u2019m pretty sure I DO know so that you can figure out your path.

ONE: Find people who really understand what you have at stake and can support you emotionally and spiritually.

If you\\u2019re part of a marginalized group and/or if your work is related to opposing a power structure, you cannot do this alone.

What if those people who you need to go to for support as an entrepreneur are also afraid? That doesn\'t mean that they can\'t support you and that you can\'t support them. We need to give up on the idea that we must be totally through the woods before we can help others. It\'s just not true. We can actually have mutual support while we\'re figuring this stuff out.

Asking for help might mean saying: \\u201cPlease stay on the phone with me while I work through what to do in this scary moment.\\u201d Or \\u201cPlease sit on my couch while I press send on this email.\\u201d

TWO: Don\\u2019t rush through your fear.

Feel the feelings that are coming up, and let the fear speak. Don\\u2019t rush it to go away. Fear isn\\u2019t the only force making decisions, but you can listen to it and allow it to have a seat at the table.

I\\u2019ve got a great example coming up on the podcast. Next time we\\u2019ll be hearing from Dr. Damon Constantinides. He created a Trans Masc Sexual Pleasure group.

That\\u2019s brave. Trans folks are always under attack, and especially right now. Damon talks in the episode about his decisions about creating his program and making his work visible.

Show notes at https://rebeltherapist.me/podcast/202