Get All Access for $5/mo

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.

Related: This Entrepreneur Shows How to Paint a Picture of Success

"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?'

Andrea Huspeni

Articles Editor

Andrea Huspeni is the articles editor at Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

Business News

Chipotle CEO Addresses Backlash Over Portion Sizes: 'There Was Never a Directive to Provide Less'

The fast-casual chain has been under fire about inconsistent portion sizes.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.