False Expectations Appearing Real: How Fear Holds Your Business Back
Fear is a natural part of being human – but when left unchecked, it can be a major handbrake on business growth. At EBS, we coach hundreds of business owners every year, and one consistent obstacle we help them overcome is fear. Not fear in the dramatic sense, but the kind that shows up quietly: in hesitation, avoidance, overthinking, or perfectionism.
Understanding where fear comes from – and how to neutralise it with logic – is essential for anyone serious about business success.
The Only Two Fears We’re Born With
Did you know that humans are only born with two natural fears?
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The fear of loud noises, and
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The fear of falling.
That’s it. Every other fear we carry as adults – fear of failure, fear of public speaking, fear of letting go – is learned. We pick them up from experiences, beliefs, or other people. And more importantly, we can unlearn them.
This brings us to a useful reframe we use often at EBS:
F.E.A.R. = False Expectations Appearing Real
The Business Impact of Fear
In business, fear commonly presents itself in ways that limit potential. Here are some common examples we see:
1. Fear of Public Speaking or Selling
Many new business owners struggle with standing in front of a room or making sales calls. They imagine forgetting their words, being judged, or being caught out. But in reality? Once they do it, they often receive praise, connection, and results. The fear was only ever a mental story.
2. Fear of Delegation
One client – a highly capable bookkeeper – believed, “No one can do it as well as me.” This belief kept her stuck, working long hours and unable to scale. She feared that hiring would reduce quality and lose clients. We tackled this not emotionally, but logically:
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Documented core processes
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Built in quality control
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Implemented validation systems
With systems in place, she hired confidently – and her team performed brilliantly. Her business grew, her stress decreased, and her fear? Gone!
3. Fear of Growth Itself
Another client, a residential builder, came to us after four years of consistent losses. After two years of focused business coaching, they’d scaled from $1.5M to $6M in revenue – and from zero to $600K in profit. Yet even then, they struggled with thoughts like:
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“What if it all falls apart?”
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“I’m not used to this level of success.”
Each step of growth triggered fear. Our job as coaches was to meet that emotion with strategy: cash flow planning, staffing systems, and ongoing performance tracking.
Fear thrives in uncertainty. Logic shuts it down.
Where Does Fear Hold You Back?
As a business owner, ask yourself:
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Where are you avoiding action because of imagined outcomes?
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Are you resisting hiring, pricing increases, or expansion due to fear-based stories?
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Is your fear founded in fact, or is it False Expectations Appearing Real?
One common area fear shows up? Pricing. We cover increasing prices in this blog – but suffice to say, many owners fear that raising prices will drive away customers. In reality, pricing confidently and strategically often leads to better clients and stronger margins.
From Emotion to Logic
Fear is emotional. The way through it is logic.
Whether it’s process documentation, pricing strategy, or staffing models – logic gives you control, confidence, and clarity. That’s why we’re passionate about blending coaching with systems and structure at EBS. It’s not just about growth – it’s about sustainable, calculated, low-risk growth.
Final Thought
You can’t solve what you don’t acknowledge. If fear is holding you back – from hiring, scaling, increasing prices, or leading your team – it’s time to take it seriously.
Talk to your coach. Name the fear. And together, let’s replace emotion with action.
Because on the other side of fear? There’s usually exactly what you’re looking for!
