I’d like to be real with you for a second:
You might be an entrepreneur trying to grow your business.
You might be someone with big ideas, sitting on a side hustle you haven’t launched yet.
Maybe you want to start posting content to build your brand, grow your audience, or finally be known for something that matters.
Or maybe you’re working a 9–5 and quietly dreaming about a raise, a promotion, or a new role with more leadership and pay.
But week after week, you stall.
You hesitate.
You hide.
And the story you tell yourself is:
“I don’t want to come off as salesy.”
“It’s not the right time to speak up.”
“I just don’t feel ready yet.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
But deep down?
That’s not the truth.
The real issue is this:
You’re afraid of being seen.
This fear doesn’t just cost you confidence—it costs you money.
You say you want to grow, but you won’t show your face online.
You say you want a promotion, but you never pitch your ideas in meetings.
You say you want to sell, but you hide behind content that plays it safe.
And no one’s going to throw money at someone they can’t see.
Money is energy. And energy doesn’t lie.
If your energy is shaky, nervous, or apologetic—
If you feel like you’re bothering people when you promote yourself—
If you wait for permission before you step into your voice—
Then money will mirror that same hesitancy right back to you.
People don’t pay the person who’s the most qualified.
They pay the one who’s the most certain.
So what’s keeping you small?
Here’s what I’ve seen in coaching clients, and what I had to face in myself:
- Fear of being judged by family, friends, or strangers online
- Fear of sounding “too salesy” or self-promotional
- Fear of failing in public
- Fear of success—because it would mean more responsibility, more eyes, and more pressure
- Fear that if they really go all in… it still might not be enough
How these fears play out in your life:
You scroll social media wishing you could post more, but you overthink every caption.
You rewrite your bio five times and still don’t hit publish.
You hop on sales calls but never truly own your price, so the client doesn’t either.
You keep your ideas to yourself at work because you don’t want to sound too ambitious.
You tell yourself you need more time, but deep down… you’re just afraid to be seen failing.
Or worse, being seen succeeding and not knowing how to handle it.
You create internal chaos trying to stay comfortable—
When what you really want is to be respected, visible, paid, and powerful.
But that version of you?
He’s already inside.
He’s just buried under layers of fear, people-pleasing, and perfectionism.
How to shift this:
✅ Own the space you want to take up.
Nobody’s going to give you permission to lead.
You have to take it. Post the content. Pitch the idea. Send the DM.
✅ Rewire your nervous system to feel safe being seen.
It’s not just about what you say—it’s about the energy behind it.
That’s what people feel. That’s what they pay for.
✅ Let go of “salesy.”
Selling with truth and conviction isn’t manipulation—it’s leadership.
It’s how people find their solution through you.
✅ Normalize rejection.
Not everyone is supposed to say yes.
But every time you show up, you sharpen your voice, your energy, and your reach.
✅ Decide that success is safe.
You don’t have to play small to be liked.
You’re allowed to be visible, wealthy, respected, and real—all at once.
Here’s the truth:
You’re not too early.
You’re not too late.
You’re just scared of being seen.
But you don’t get paid for hiding.
You get paid for showing up like someone who knows they’re worth listening to.
Much love,
Shawn “Sheshn” Heshmatpour
Recent Comments