“Fear is an emotion associated with anticipated pain. Former Art Of Charm coach Sameem Rouhani calls it “the discomfort of uncertainty.” It’s useful because we survived as a species by avoiding pain. But social fear in all its forms typically boils down to avoiding a particular type of pain—rejection. As early humans learned, being part of the group was advantageous for survival; being abandoned or rejected by the group meant hardship or death.
The reason the Harbingers’ work with social anxiety in dating maps well to business is because business is inherently social: You’re making things for people, selling things to people, and working with people to make all that happen. And rejection—whether from customers, supporters, partners, investors, colleagues, bosses, “the market,” you name it—almost always feels personal.”
Ways you can battle that fear
- Collect Data (of successes)
- Use the principle of progresssive overload (pushing yourself a little farther) in a safe environment
- Flip your internal script (Change a negative outlook to a positive one)
That’s what progressive overload is all about. “There’s always going to be a fear of failure in business,” AJ says. “You need to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Read more: HOW TO MASTER FEAR IN BUSINESS: TIPS FROM LA’S TOP DATING COACHES
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.https://iamgresh.com👤 Author Name: Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Title: Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise
Experience: 15+ years in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business growth strategy
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area, USA
About the Author
Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise broker, and the founder of Blue Star Franchise, where he helps aspiring and established business owners find the perfect franchise opportunity to match their goals, lifestyle, and financial vision.
With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresh has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners through his media company Blue 16 Media and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured over 1,600 interviews. His unique background gives him a deep understanding of what makes a business succeed — and how the right franchise can change lives.
A proud member of the Franchise Broker Association (FBA), Gresham brings a consultative and client-first approach to franchise matching. His mission is to help people “run their race” by finding franchise opportunities that align with their purpose, skills, and lifestyle.
📚 Credentials & Affiliations
Certified Franchise Broker – Franchise Broker Association (FBA)
Founder – Blue Star Franchise & Blue 16 Media
Host – I AM CEO Podcast (1,600+ episodes)
Featured in – 50+ Black Marketers on the Rise, Influencer & Media Innovators (2022)
B.S. in Business Administration – Howard University
