Cook County News Herald

Turning fear into success





Debra Joy Mueller

Debra Joy Mueller

How has the nation’s economy been affecting local business people? How could fears regarding an economic slump affect business?

Life coach Debra Joy Mueller spoke to area businesswomen at a luncheon at Chez Jude Wednesday, May 20, 2009 about how to shift gears from fear to success. The luncheon is sponsored monthly by Cook County Higher Education and the Northeast Women’s Entrepreneur Fund.

Mueller has successfully pursued several career dreams as an RN, professional figure skater, corporate consultant and recruiter, and now as a life coach and manager of partner Michael Monroe’s music career.

As a life coach, Mueller seeks to draw out of healthy individuals their dreams and goals for their personal lives and careers. Part of that work is dealing with fears that get in the way.

What do local businesswomen fear? That day’s list included the economy, health, aging, job loss, relationship changes, family problems, moving to a new residence, the future in general, and almost everyone’s favorite, spiders.

Mueller gave her audience a handy acronym with which to identify fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. Our inner voices can go beyond keeping us safe, Mueller said, to limiting us, even keeping us captive. Fear can become a “gremlin” that is better recognized than ignored. It can be used as an excuse to stay stuck or as a perspective that can motivate us to make positive changes.

Fear can take over your life, Mueller said. “If you focus on something, and focus on it and focus on it, what do you find more of?” she asked. More of the same, people answered.

Fear-based living can lead to blaming others, isolating oneself, procrastinating, and even physical illness such as cancer, Mueller said. Dwelling on fear causes people to miss out on opportunities for new growth.

Figuring out what we don’t want out of life or what we don’t like about our current situations can help us figure out what we do want. Mueller encouraged people to let their intuition lead them to better places where they can do more of what they really want to do.

Some people deal with potential disaster by having a backup plan they can use if they need one. Rather than keeping something desirable on the backup plan, Mueller said, why not put it on your main plan? Perhaps the backup plan is what you really want to do. Why not go forward, Mueller asked. What story do you want to tell about the course of your life?

Some people tend to put off doing things they wish they could do. Stop putting them off, said Mueller, and make positive use of your time.

Mueller suggested that listening to negative predictions about the upcoming tourist season could be bad for business. Conversely, looking at potential benefits of changes in the economy could produce positive results. If the economy slumps, for example, many Minnesota residents might visit Cook County instead of taking more far-flung vacations. People coming to town might not eat out at restaurants as much, but they might be willing to go out for dessert, so if you are a restaurant owner, you could improve and promote your dessert menu.

Even losing a job can give you an opportunity to evaluate what you really want to do. Focus on solutions, Mueller recommended, rather than problems.

In conclusion, Mueller suggested that on a daily basis, people breathe in and then exhale while saying, “Every day’s a holiday.” With this perspective, you have permission to enjoy something about today and every day.

To contact Deb or to request life coaching services, call (218)387-2919 or email debjoy1@mac.com.

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