What F.E.A.R. Really Stands For At Entrepreneur magazine's Growth Conference 2014, keynote speaker Erik Wahl tells small-business owners they need to look past their fear, follow their passion and solve problems in a creative manner to succeed.
By Andrea Huspeni •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
For many entrepreneurs, the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing, making it impossible for them to step outside their comfort zone and move ahead. Erik Wahl believes that if small-business owners understand what fear actually means and how to move past it, they can succeed.
Wahl, a business strategist and artist who was the keynote speaker at Entrepreneur magazines's Growth Conference 2014 in New Orleans earlier this year, uses fear as an acronym for what is holding small-business owners and entrepreneurs back.
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"Fear often times represents, something nothing more than false evidence appearing real," Wahl told a packed room of entrepreneurs at the conference. "Anxiety allow these fears to paralyze the creative thought process." As Wahl explains, this can be detrimental to a business' success.
To get past this fear and differentiate themselves from competitors, small businesses must be continually focusing on "disruptive strategies" and thinking outside the box. But it isn't easy. Wahl recommends turning to your inner child to get your creative juices flowing.
"Every child is an artist. The question becomes how do you maintain that passion to creatively solve challenges?"
To find out, tune into the video.
Related: Entrepreneur of 2013 Winner: I Always Ask 'What Would Steve Jobs Do?'
