When Fear Enters Your Path (“This Is the Way”)

Written By Developer Designer

Over the past few months, I’ve been working through my ICF Coaching Certification — six intensive weekend courses, one per month, Friday through Sunday, 9–5, with barely a moment to breathe.  (By the time you read this, I will have completed all six courses and will have a short break before I start the next component of my certification which will begin in Febrary) 

Each weekend, we learn a new concept… and then we’re asked to coach on it immediately. No warm-up. No extra prep. No perfecting the tool first. Just: “Okay, your turn. Coach someone.”

“BLAHHHH”.....yes, that’s me nearly vomiting on the spot.  Do you know this feeling??

Every time I heard the word, “Okay, your turn,”  this feeling of sheer panic overcame my body.  Each time this brought me back to that same fear that’s been part of me since childhood.

The classroom memories come rushing back — being asked to say my name, explain a reading, repeat something the teacher just said.
Moments where my mind would go blank.
Where my chest would tighten.
Where I froze because I was terrified of saying the wrong thing.

That same fear visited me in my coaching training:
the sweating, the nervous laughter just to get a breath in, the overthinking, the need for reassurance, the “I need more time, I need more knowledge, I’m not ready.”

And on the surface, it all sounded logical:

  • “I need more practice.”

  • “Everyone else gets this but me.”

  • “I’m going to look silly.”

But underneath?
It was fear of being judged.
Fear of looking uneducated.
Fear of not being smart enough — the oldest story my inner critic knows how to tell.

The shift happened when I finally told myself:
“I may not know everything, but I can do my best.”

I remembered something Russell Brunson said in a workshop I attended. He referenced The Mandalorian and how the main character often repeats the phrase:
“This is the way.”

  • But Russell wasn’t talking about toughness.

  • Or grit.

  • Or pushing through fear.

He was talking about systems — about following a proven process instead of reinventing the wheel.
He said:
“If you want the result, follow the path that works. This is the way.”

And something clicked for me.

The Coaching Certification I am doing is the way.
It’s the system.
It’s the path designed to shape great coaches.

And if I want to earn my certification…
If I want to have a tremendous positive impact on the people I coach…
If I want to step into the next level of my craft…

I have to follow the process that was created to help me do exactly that.

Even when it’s uncomfortable.
Even when it triggers old wounds.
Even when fear disguises itself as logic and tries to slow me down.

I also reminded myself of the book by Ryan Holiday called:
“The obstacle is the way.”

This reminded me that the only path… is through.
Not around the discomfort, not away from the fear — through it.

So now, every time that old fear rises, I tell myself:
“This is the way.
The obstacle is the way.”

If I want to be great at this — truly great — I have to be willing to be uncomfortable right now.

When I shifted to that mindset, my whole nervous system softened.
The anxious spiral quieted.
My confidence rose.

I went from “I’m scared and I can’t do this”
to “I can do this — and I will.”

Here is what I learned: 

Fear often pretends to be logic.
It says things like:

“Be realistic.”
“Wait until you’re more prepared.”
“You should know more before you try.”

But those aren’t facts — they’re fear-based stories wrapped in reason.

Your inner critic uses “logic” as a disguise so you won’t push through discomfort and grow into your next level.

Here’s the reframe:
If it feels uncomfortable, it probably means you’re in the right place.
Growth requires friction.
Skill requires repetition.
Confidence requires action.

In 2026, The obstacle is the way.
In 2026, The discomfort is the path.
In 2026, This is the way!!

This Weeks Mindset Fuel:

🎥 Instagram clip:

Mel Robbins — You Will Never Feel Ready to Do the Thing that Scares You! 

watch now

It will help you CRUSH procrastination, fear, and self-doubt! All you have to do is count down 5-4-3-2-1 to launch yourself into action.

📘 Book:

Ryan Holiday — The Obstacle Is the Way

A philosophy-changing read about using challenges as the very thing that shapes your resilience, confidence, and success.

read more

Fear Means it’s Go Time: Action Step

Think of one thing you’ve been avoiding because you feel unprepared, underqualified, or not ready.Then write this sentence somewhere you’ll see it:

“This is the way.” or “The obstacle is the way.” 

And take one tiny step toward it this week.

If fear has been pretending to be logic in your life lately, Crush the Inner Critic will help you recognize the pattern and build the internal tools to move forward with clarity and confidence.Join here: Crush the Inner Critic; Transforming Self-Talk for Professional Success.

Also, starting in February, I will be coaching one-on-one clients who are ready to shift their narrative and finally take action.  My goal is to support clients in developing clarity, confidence, resilience and personal ownership.  So if the above message spoke to you and you are ready to engage fully in the process and want to grow personally, connect with Missy at Missy@themissywest.com to set up an inquiry call.

Let Me Be Clear as you Enter 2026: 

You are capable.
You are growing.
You are allowed to be a beginner at something you deeply care about.

Keep going.
This is the way.  2026 is YOUR YEAR!  

Courage Up, 

-Missy

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