Sha Nacino Happy Tuesday! 🙂
Today, I’d like to share some reflections on how to be a little braver.
One day, my friend asked,
“Sha, why are you so fearless?”
She asked this in the context of launching new projects and in the context of entrepreneurship.
I pondered on her question.
The truth is, I have a lot of fears.
But I choose to face my fears.
Years ago, I was so afraid to sleep in an unfamiliar room by myself.
When I moved to my own 3-bedroom townhouse in Muntinlupa almost a decade ago,
I hired a helper. To be honest, I don’t really need someone to cook for me or to clean the house for me.
I just wanted a companion. Hehe!
When I was invited to speak out-of-town, I would invite my friends to come with me.
“Friends, I have a speaking engagement in Tagaytay. Wanna come with me?”
Four of my girl friends agreed to go with me.
When I had a speaking engagement in Baguio, I asked my friends if they wanted to go to Baguio as well.
My brother, four girl friends, and two guy friends went to Baguio with me.
My speaking engagement was just for half day (including the preparations, book signing, and chit chats after the talk). We spent a few more days roaming around Baguio.
When I had a speaking engagement in Tacloban, the family that invited me to speak accommodated me in their big home. My room was in the second floor. It was a huge bedroom!!! 10 people can fit in!
They said, “Sha, don’t worry. The entire second floor is yours so you have privacy!”
That really worried me! Hahaha!
I asked, “Can I request if one of your female helpers would agree to accompany me in the room? I’m afraid to sleep in a room by myself.”
I did try to face my fear.
I booked a 2-night stay in a posh hotel in the city.
My room had two big beds.
At 7:00PM, I was restless. I can’t spend the night alone there!
So I called up two of my girl friends and asked if they would want to sleep over in my hotel.
They said, “Of course!”
Within two hours, they arrived!
This fear was both a blessing and a limitation.
Blessing because I saw how good God is to send me friends and my brother to my rescue.
So blessed to have such cool and supportive friends and brother!
At the same time, it’s a limitation because there were a few speaking engagements out-of-town by plane I declined just because the organizers had no budget to fly a companion.
I did something radical in September 2018.
I booked a solo flight to Bali, Indonesia for 5 days!
I didn’t know anyone there.
If I suddenly become afraid in the middle of the night, there’s no friend I can call.
Plus, I can’t just go home to the Philippines. I needed to book a flight!
I placed myself in a situation wherein my back was against the wall.
On my first night, I said, “Okay, this is it, God! Take care of me.”
Then I went to sleep.
When I woke up the next day, I smiled and said,
“Woah! There was NOTHING to be afraid of!”
I slept like a baby!
I conquered my fear. Thank God!
The next year, I got invited to speak in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, and the U.S.
I was ready! I said YES! What a perfect timing.
Is there a fear that is limiting you?
Small fear, big fear.
Maybe it’s time to face that fear head on.
Understand where that fear is coming from.
Take small steps towards facing that fear.
In June this year, I went to Boracay with my friends. We stayed there for 10 days.
I was so uncomfortable with water.
I can’t even “swim” in one-foot or two-feet deep water. Which is funny because I stand 5’6″.
I was that afraid.
Slowly, I faced my discomfort with water.
In September this year, I went back to Boracay solo. I stayed there for 18 days.
This time, I did scuba diving. Woah!
We hopped on a speed boat and jumped into the deep waters.
How deep? I think around 20 meters or 65 feet!
To be honest, I wanted to back out the night before.
One Bible verse from my mentor Anthony Pangilinan comforted me.
(I shared it in my latest vlog!)
I learned 3 lessons on how to be little braver from my scuba diving experience.
I shared it here in my vlog. Enjoy the world of Nemo!
You can watch it here!
May you be a little braver today! 🙂
Cheers,
Sha
P.S. As an introvert, I am so grateful I faced and conquered my fear of sharing my thoughts to people. I wrote and published my first book, then the next… Today, I’ve written and published 15 books! We’ve also helped over 100 first-time authors write and publish their books through my signature online course The 90-day Book Writing Challenge.
We’ll reopen the registration on November 25. Save the date! 🙂
P.P.S. Enjoy watching my vlog Scuba Diving in Boracay l How to Be a Little Braver!
May this vlog inspire you to be a little braver! I hope you get entertained as well 🙂
Please feel free to leave a like and a comment on YouTube as well. Thank you! 🙂
