Is fear driving your career?
In the financial world, analysts use a Fear & Greed Index to measure market mood: when greed runs high, investors frantically chase easy wins; when fear overwhelms, nobody dares to act. Imagine applying that idea to your career. Are you letting fear paralyze you—keeping you stuck in a comfort zone—or greed for security and status push you toward the wrong path? Extreme emotions can cloud judgment, but they can also spotlight hidden opportunities. When you learn to see past the panic and the panic of panic, you open yourself to possibilities beyond the daily noise.
My personal battle with fear
I know this struggle intimately. I grew up in a loving household. However, playing it safe was an unspoken rule. Risk-taking was discouraged. For years I followed the map laid out for me. By my late thirties I was an 'intrapreneurial' General Manager at a Fortune 500 company—a position that, on paper, was perhaps the pinnacle of success. But inside, something felt off. I’d lie awake at night feeling a knot of restlessness in my chest. Was this really my purpose?
I vividly remember the sleepless night (litterally!) it clicked: I realized the path I was on wasn’t my future. I yearned to make a different kind of impact. That meant stepping away from comfort and into the unknown.
Going independent was never an end goal for me. It was a means—a vessel that allowed me to work in the way I deeply believed in. It gave me the freedom to build meaningful, long-term relationships with clients, to walk alongside them through life and business, and to focus only on what truly matters.
The idea of going independent was both thrilling and terrifying. Yes, I did have couple of sleepless nights over it. And that is ok. I could picture it clearly: heart pounding, stomach in knots, yet a spark of excitement lit up inside me. I knew I had to try, even though it meant shouldering a mortgage and providing for two young kids. I acted in spite of fear. And in that choice to leap, I found one of the most important lessons of my life: the real risk is often standing still.
Stuck in comfort: the high price of playing It safe
Looking around at friends and colleagues, I see how this pattern repeats. Many people I respect are incredibly talented, but they keep themselves safely locked in place. They stay in familiar jobs, follow advice from well-meaning mentors of a bygone era, and never let themselves dream bigger. Inertia sets in and suddenly years slip by without change.
Playing it too safe comes at a cost. It can feel comfortable, yes—but comfort can become a cage. While you’re waiting for the “perfect moment,” opportunities slip away. The very people you trust to guide you might unknowingly dull your ambition with old-fashioned caution. I’m not saying you should be reckless. But if you always shy away from any challenge, you might miss the chance to do something extraordinary.
Going independent
Let me be clear: going independent isn’t the right path for everyone—and I would never suggest it should be. You can build an incredibly fulfilling career within great organizations. In fact, I’ve been fortunate to work with several outstanding companies for many years, and I’ve seen firsthand how much impact and satisfaction is possible within those environments. The message here is not to abandon what you have, but rather this: if you feel the pull toward something different, don’t let fear or outdated advice be your only compass. Talk to people. Explore. Reflect. And then choose the path that aligns with who you are and where you want to go.
Embracing calculated risks
The answer lies in calculated risk-taking. Before you leap, do your homework:
-
Weigh the outcomes. Write down the very worst and best things that could happen. If worst-case comes true, can you handle it? Often just naming your fears removes some of their power.
-
Talk to people who care. Find mentors or friends who have faced similar crossroads. Listen to their stories—both struggles and triumphs. Their insight can light the way and calm your nerves.
-
Plan your safety net. Set small goals and prepare for bumps in the road. Having a backup plan doesn’t mean you lack courage. It means you’re smart enough to prepare while still moving forward.
-
Trust yourself. Data and advice are important, but remember your gut feeling too. Sometimes you have to step out before you know exactly where you’ll land.
Life will never hand you all the answers up front. Instead of waiting for certainty, take one brave step and see what happens. Each move forward teaches you something new. Every time you stretch yourself just a bit, you build confidence in your own strength.
Your call to courage: what will you do?
Right now, take a deep breath. Look at your own life’s index: is fear dominating the needle? Is your greed for comfort or approval stopping you from chasing a real passion? Today, you have the power to decide. Promise yourself you won’t look back with regret, wondering “What if?”
What’s one small leap you can make today toward what matters most to you? Maybe it’s a conversation, a plan, or even just a sketch of a new dream. Do it. Don’t let another day slip by under the weight of “someday.”
I'd love to hear your story.
Hope and courage to you,
Paul Donkers
About Paul
For decades, Paul has been the trusted business coach and advisor to leaders around the world. His work is built on deep, hands-on experience—not abstract models. Paul and his partners have guided countless leaders and teams through growth phases, complex strategic decisions, and leadership breakthroughs. Their focus: helping organizations build more value today while shaping the leadership needed for the future.
If you’re ready to explore how expert guidance could support your next chapter, visit www.tencompany.org or www.ikigaicoachinginstitute.com.
For a confidential conversation, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
