There’s one obstacle that plagues every entrepreneur.
It’s known as “the fear of uncertainty.”
Watch this short 4 minute video, and learn all about it…
..and how you can overcome it.
I made a mistake…
This book is only available for preorder right now, but there’s good news!
When you preorder it, you’ll get a bunch of bonuses.
or you can just have Amazon ship it to you.
Either way, do what works best for you. I don’t receive an affiliate commission on this. It’s just a great book you should read.
Derek Halpern is the founder of Social Triggers, the top marketing / psychology blog with more than 100,000 readers each month.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool book. Interesting approach to behavior change. I also really like the stuff that BJ Fogg puts out there about taking control of behavior.
I first stumbled onto BJ Fogg because Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks about him. He puts out some GREAT stuff.
I took the dive and jumped past uncertainty last week by releasing the first YouTube video for my business and it was a good success for such a little video! I also restructured my newsletter to be more personal (like Derek’s) and have seen great improvements with my click-through rates. Needless to say, uncertainty is gone now.
p.s. I am in the retreat booking business (not blogging) so it works for anyone!
Andy, that’s what I like to hear. First you created a video, and now you’re working on personalized newsletter. It’s tough to get started, but with positive feedback, it’s easy to keep testing out new ideas, right?
The positive feedback absolutely makes it easier. My second email since the change up goes out tomorrow, and I am am looking forward to more results. Who knows? One day I may end up a case study for SocialTriggers. Haha.
That would be awesome. Would love to hear about the results too. You’ve got my email. You know how to reach me.
Hey Derek,
Thanks so much for this video! I ordered the book just now. I think that uncertainty is at an epidemic level at this point. Many of the best and brightest suffer from it. This is a great tool!
Thanks,
Storm
Storm, that’s awesome. My man Jonathan will be happy to hear that. It’s really going to be an awesome book. I’m sure it will break through the New York Times list. It really deserves it.
Okay, so I guess you’ve read it now.
Maybe I should read it …
Your video is right on. I am dealing with the fear of uncertainty, but it’s actually motivating me right now. I used to never take action because of the fear and finally decided to take some baby steps. It felt so good to finally take action. I’m still uncertain about a lot of things, but now I’m excited about discovering what the outcome will be. Will definitely pick up the book.
Uncertainty has been one of the biggest driving forces in my life. I actually enjoy it… especially when you can manage it the right way.
Years ago, I was a poker player. That comes with a lot of uncertainty too, but there’s also a ton of certainty… when you manage the uncertainty.
This book is all about managing the uncertainty so you can help find the “sure-things.” It’s definitely worth the read.
Hey Derek,
Great video mate. I know I’ve said this before but I love your energy – it’s great to see someone who clearly has a passion for what they do.
Uncertainty is something I have struggled with in the past but I feel like I have conquered it to a large extent. However, on your recommendation I am going to buy this book anyway and see what it has to offer.
This is what I love about blogs that don’t use affiliate links – you can trust that there is no agenda. That’s a great tool you have – the level of trustworthiness you have established. Rock on my friend!
All the best,
Tom
Absolutely Tom.
I could have included an affiliate link, but you know what? It doesn’t matter. The book was a great read, and yea, I might have made some money, but in the end, I rather help people out now… and sell them stuff later.
When the storm is loudest, when the lightning is flashing all around, when I’m on the edge, about to jump over.
That’s when I’m most alive.
That’s a great comment. I find that when I’m in a similar position, I often do my best.
Derek, you and Alyzande have what I call the warrior personality. You can see it in the way you have a passion for high-energy situations. The other three personality types, like mine, struggle more with the uncertainty situations. I’ll have to check out the book. Sounds interesting.
Just saw Jonathan at SOBCon NW and blogged about it for Entrepreneur…great stuff.
I’m not sure YOU really have any fear of uncertainty…but keep providing the awesome info!
I don’t have much fear of the uncertainty now…
…but years ago? It plagued me like everyone.
Someday I’ll have to write that story!
Hey Derek,
I’ve watched your video’s including this one. My question is that I started my website and blog to sell my book. Will these same principles apply with my primary focus being to sell the book or should I be trying to build the audience in hope’s of converting them to buyers?
Depends on the type of book you’re selling. If you’re selling non fiction, yes it should work. If you’re selling fiction, the approach would definitely have to be a little bit different.
Never heard of the author or this book, but I’m definitely going to check it out!
I’ve always enjoyed learning and studying about how we humans fail to do things because of uncertainty; and the exposure to criticism. It’s this evolutionary trait that does not serve us a purpose in this modern society. Uncertainty is perhaps the single biggest reason why we don’t do amazing things.
Thanks for sharing Darek!
No problem Jesus.
And how have you not heard of Jonathan?
He’s the man behind JonathanFields.com (go figure!)
You know what,
I just went to the link you put up and I realized that I had been to this website before, in fact the little yellow star on my browser is yellow, so I had it booked marked before!…
I just didn’t remember him!
PS
Very Cool of you not using an affiliate link for this.
Those are to many apple screens!!
I like Johnatan and I like you so I will definitively read this book.
Thanks for the recommendation Derek!
Heh… 2 Apple 30″ monitors and one 27″ IMAC. Can’t leave home without ‘em!
A lot of people don’t take action because of fear of uncertainty and will never try to sell anything online. The bigger challenge for those of us who take action is how to react when you’ve put out many products and still haven’t got the sales. So based on past experience you are actually certain of future failure (lack of sales) so you will think ‘Why bother creating yet another product when I am certain (from past experience) that it won’t work either.” I like Tony Robbins approach – at a base level it is all about perceived pain (taking a lot of action and not getting sales) versus pleasure (not doing anything and not losing anything).
Thanks for the comment Will. And yea, you’re right. Not doing anything, not losing anything doesn’t feel nearly as bad as taking action and not getting anything. That explains why people rather do the latter instead of the former for sure.
Sorry dude, but you are totally right because I recently discovered myself about going through this. As a matter of fact, I’m actually working on a post for my personal blog that talks about uncertainly!
Linking to this post will be a sweet link to add onto my post!!
I’m so glad you posted this dude; I really am!
Woops! if you can, can you change my name from 51 website design to Jarod Online, and change that website to Jarodonline.wordpress.com? That’s my personal blog… that other one no longer works (my failed blog =/. I’m making lots of progress with my personal and other blog though hehe.)
And two more things…
“I’m totally loving Social Triggers”
–Chris Brogan, NYT Best-Selling Author
xD!
And, how come you got a book but we have to wait until it’s released dude?? Why can’t we just buy it now? I’m so in the mood to read it man. I really am…
I’m friends with the author.
Looks awesome! Being a big Jim Rohn, T. Robbins, and Zig fan I think this will be another nugget of wisdom and insight that can be applied into action.
Great post.
I was uncertain about whether or not to contribute obnoxious comment, but that pink salmon alligator shirt is some mesmerizing action inducing shit… Well done!
mesmerizing, action-inducing shit…
Quote of the day. Ha ha.
I’m sure we have all seen it before but just to reiterate FEAR equals.
F = False
E = Evidence
A = Appearing
R = Real
Book looks Awesome, wonder if they have an audible version, for those of us still caught in the rat race
I’ll definitely be checking it out!
Ha, a solid acronym, I’ll have to remember that one.
I’ll be overcoming an uncertainty this week when I dive into podcasts for one of my blogs, it’s a niche that would definitely benefit from them and it’s not being done anywhere else, so time to step up.
What a plseaure to meet someone who thinks so clearly
My post today was based on fear and how it holds us back. Love your en depth explanation of what I touched on:) Great post!
Great Video Derek – i have worked with hundreds of Creative Entrepreneurs in my career and know exactly what you are talking about, you need to read this book here : Standing at Water’s Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion.
sorry for copying and pasting the product description here but i couldn’t write it better.
For most people who seek to create — whether they are artists, writers, or businesspeople — the daily task of immersing themselves in their creative work is both a joy and a profound challenge. Instead of stepping easily into the creative state, they succumb to chronic procrastination and torturous distraction.
I am dealing with this everyday myself.
Keep up the great work !!!
Love your enthusiasm! Jonathan Fields owes you, big time. Will have to check his book out!
unfortunately there are no bonuses anymore I guess because the book is published now. The book though looks very interesting!
Adriene
Sweet! Just checked and there is a Kindle version now! Gonna add this to my list and hopefully actually read it. The list grows faster than I read.