Halloween, Fear and Entrepreneurship

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With Halloween approaching, my mind tends to think about fear, about the spooky and scary things in life. While this season is a fun time for costumes and theme parties, it’s also a good insight into the power that fear can have over us psychologically.

What is it about fear that haunts us?

You have seen the thriller movies with the girl running and tripping almost every step, slowing herself down and inevitably contributing to her own demise. Yet, how many times do you do that metaphorically to yourself in your path to success when you succumb to fear? It is a powerful force that can hold you back or drive you forward depending on your ability to deal with it.

In 2015, a group of researchers compiled a review of scientific studies on fear and entrepreneurship. The review concluded that fear is a major psychological barrier to entrepreneurship. Fear, the review also noted, is a diverse and complex emotion and though it can prevent entrepreneurs from taking necessary risks when it’s properly managed fear isn’t debilitating.

But, interestingly, many aspects of Halloween fear can serve as a great foundation for entrepreneurs.

Fears are irrational.

Halloween is full of masks, makeup, decorations, and creepy sounds. All kinds of things that increase our anxiety and ignite our irrational fears. For entrepreneurs, these fears come in the form of fear of failure, fear of humiliation, fear of being wrong, fear of running pursuing our passions. But, fear isn’t real. Fear is nothing more than images we make up in our mind. Remember, when you face these fears you can make them disappear.

Walking door-to-door and starting conversations leads to great outcomes.

The Halloween tradition of walking door-to-door (often with parents a sidewalk away) teaches us some independence, but also allows us to confront adults face-to-face. This is the foundation for one of your most valuable skills – your ability to look someone in the eye and communicate clearly. Sales, marketing, raising capital, hiring a great team, etc. all stem back to strong interpersonal communication. Walking door-to-door is a powerful and efficient teacher.

Choose the path less taken.

Sure, one easy thing to do on Halloween is follow the crowd of kids and parents down the well lit neighbourhood streets. In many neighbourhoods it looks like a swarm of bees navigating together. This is safe and easy, but what if you veer down the side streets and venture to the houses just off the main path? Well, sometimes you hit a dead-end, but sometimes you also find the wonderful older couple who are so excited to have visitors and they graciously give you the greatest treats. If you want two Hershey kisses or a few Toostie rolls, follow the crowd, but the hand-tied bag full of Snickers, Milky Way and Crunch bars are often on the path less taken.

With a little effort, you can be a completely new person.

It amazes me that when the shy, quiet boy puts on his Superman costume, he becomes a confident, outspoken actor. He takes on the characteristics of his hero, stands a little taller and is ready to conquer the darkest streets in the hood. Nothing physical has changed. He didn’t grow new muscles or drink a special potion – it was 100% psychological. He just decided he could, so he did. Why not put on that psychological costume, armour or mask whenever you need it. Just decide you can.

Being an entrepreneur can be scary. But, if you do it right, the fear is like one you get right as you strap into a rollercoaster. You’re terrified. You’re not sure what’s next. There are going to be massive low moments. But, once fear is overcomed, you’ll walk away breathless and laughing and having learned more about yourself and your business than you ever imagined.

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