#33 You Gotta Do It Scared

You’ve outgrown the role, the schedule, the stress…
But every time you get close to making a move, whether it’s stepping off the floor, raising prices, or hiring a manager, you freeze.

Your gut says yes, your brain says absolutely not.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve been waiting to feel fully confident before doing the next hard thing… you’ll wait forever.

Because the truth is: the fear never fully leaves.
But you can move anyway.

Here are 4 things I remind myself of every time I feel fear crippling me from making a decision:

#1 Confidence Doesn’t Precede the Move, It Comes After

You’re not supposed to feel 100% ready.
The real shift happens after you make the leap.  Because confidence is built from doing the thing and surviving it. And then doing it again, and again, and again.

Think about the first time you hired a stylist. Terrifying, right?
But now look, maybe that hire’s still with you. Maybe you’ve built a team. You didn’t feel ready, but you did it anyway.

The same rules apply here.

You don’t need to feel confident to make the move, but you do need courage. And courage is what will get you through until that confidence kicks in.

#2 Fear is a Sign You Care. Not That You’re Doing it Wrong.

We treat fear like a red flag.
But sometimes, it’s just your brain trying to protect you from uncertainty.

Fear isn’t a stop sign. It’s just a signal.
You care about your business. You want to get it right.
But if you let that fear run the show? You’ll stay stuck in the same loop:
→ Overworking
→ Resentment
→ Burnout
→ Repeat.

Even when it feels scary, take small actions and make bite-sized decisions daily. The more action you take, the more clarity you’ll get and usually, that fear starts to shift. 

#3 Avoiding Risk Doesn’t Mean Avoiding Consequences

Not raising your prices might feel “safe.”
Staying behind the chair might feel “stable.”
Avoiding a tough conversation might feel “peaceful.”

But what’s it costing you?

Not changing is a choice.
And often, it’s the more expensive one.

If you’re exhausted, underpaid, and scared to change, ask yourself: What happens if nothing shifts a year from now?

#4 Scared Doesn’t Mean Unqualified

A lot of salon owners wait until they “feel like a leader” before they start acting like one.

But leadership isn’t a title you earn after you stop being scared.
It’s a muscle you build while you’re scared.

Courage is doing it with shaky hands and a lump in your throat.
It’s showing up scared.
It’s speaking up even when you’re unsure.
It’s doing the hard thing.

Feeling fear around something can be a good thing. It means you’re standing at the edge of something that matters.

Read this post when you’re doubting yourself. And then take one brave step forward.
Even if your voice shakes. Even if your hands do, too.

Because growth doesn’t wait for you to feel fearless.
It just asks you to move.

You’ve got this, friend. 

Salt & Light,

Heather