The fear of the unknown.

"This weekend I decided that never again shall I fear failure or rejection in a job interview."

Maryann has been a teacher for the past 10 years, she has always taught her children the value of self-esteem and confidence, stepping out of their comfort zone, and taking calculated risks.

Though she's a teacher, she has other wealth of profession to bank on. She is a fashion designer and a graphic designer. She has always had the urge to better her life in the best way possible. She does this by always striving to learn new skills now and then.

Now, it is time to put into practice all she has taught her children, the value of confidence and taking calculated risks

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She started to submit her curriculum vitae to reputable firms. She was tired of the teaching profession, she wanted to explore other talents and skills she had. She was ready to step out of her comfort zone.

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She referred to the teaching profession as her "comfort zone" because she's been too comfortable working as a teacher, even though she knows she will excel perfectly well in other skills she had acquired.

Over the weekend, she received a call from her prospective boss, that she has an interview scheduled for the next weekday.

Maryann was excited at first, but then this fear of rejection wouldn't let her be great.

She started to think of what to wear, she went into her closet to find the outfit that best suits the occasion.

After several hours of sorting, she finally found a perfect fit.
The next struggle was, "what if?" She began to imagine so many scenarios in her head.

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Scenario 1: She imagined that all her life, she had worked as a teacher, and though she's got loads of experience, they wouldn't suit the current job she has applied for. She started to feel not good enough. She imagined her prospective boss writing her off for not having the required experience needed for that specific job.

Scenario 2: She imagined that what if she got to the interview and she meets another candidate that's more prepared than her, more properly dressed than she is, and more qualified than she is? "Oh, that would just be a total waste of transport fare and time". She murmured.

Scenario 3: She imagined what if her prospective boss is overly critical.
She kept imagining... What if, my prospective boss says I'll get back to you and never reaches out again?

She was battling with all of these thoughts when a friend of hers came visiting.

Rachel who has been Maryann's friend for over 2years figured out that all wasn't well with her friend.

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She asked what the problem was and there you go, Maryann started to explain," Rachel, I know I have beautiful potential within me, I have taken the bold step to reach this potential, but now I'm too scared to face the outcome, I fear I would be rejected, I fear there's someone out there better than I am, I'm too scared of failure that I don't even want to try anymore, I guess I wouldn't be attending the interview scheduled for Monday".

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Rachel told her something that changed her mindset.

"Maryann, first you have to understand that you can be whoever you want to become if you let fear aside. You keep saying what if, have you ever thought about what if not? What if not it's not what you think? What if not there's no candidate better than you are, what if your prospective boss isn't as critical as you think and what if, you're the one chosen for the job? What if they decide to train you because of how confident you sounded? What if you got the job!! And what if there are candidates who don't have the skills you possess applied to "

She explained that, life is all about taking risks and that nothing good happens in our comfort zone.

She finally said, "what if after trying you still didn't get the job, does that makes you a failure? No! It only added to your wealth of experience and it's never a waste of time. First, to be a winner, you must train your mind to see the good in you.

Rachel left Maryann with these last words" I believe in you, you can do it, I would call you on Monday evening to ask how the interview went, I am optimistic you will get the job because I see greatness in you, if you believe it, you can achieve anything! your greatness lies in your mindset., "

Maryann smiled and said, " This weekend, I decided that never again shall I fear failure or rejection in a job interview, I am made for more, if I get the job it's a plus for me and even if I don't, it's an experience, at least I wouldn't live to regret the guilt of not trying at all, I am patiently waiting for Monday to arrive. I am not scared of whatever outcome I may get. thank you, Rachel"

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This article is not limited to only job opportunities, some of you are like Maryann,  you miss out on great opportunities because you are too scared to try, even when you know you're capable. You always create negative scenarios in your head because of the "fear of the unknown." 

Anything new is usually scary, however, you mustn't allow fear to paralyze you, see it as an opportunity to be courageous, which will give you the strength to face and conquer fear.  

If only you can let fear aside, you would see the greatness in you, you can be anything if you set your heart to it!

Thank you for stopping by, till we meet again, it's still your girl Amie Geoffrey.

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#WEEKEND