Walking by this community drawn chalk on the side walk, was a luring message; Draw Your Own.  At first glance I wanted to draw, but I am not an artist and those other pictures look so good. (Only the first few where there when I drew mine.) I walked right by. Immediately after walking by I was telling Klaudia how that would be such a great way to practice facing fear.  She told me I have to draw one. "No way!  I can't draw, and I will look like a fool."  My first response. After a moment of her talking me into it and me choosing to not settle for fear, I walked right back to the squares. A few minutes later my personal touch was added (the first picture). 

After we were done drawing the fear left and was replaced with insights, the feeling of accomplishment, and joy.  The idea of what others would think turned out to be completely ridiculous.  For one, no one knows who drew anything and two, the greater purpose of this idea was far bigger then my fear of looking bad. Being a part of the community, drawing and facing my fears revealed again how fear is nothing more then smoke and mirrors.  

Building up a tool collection without ever working on a car creates massive clutter and a total loss of direction. Let me explain.  

I used to be a car mechanic for 8 years.  I would get really excited when the tool truck was stopping by because I loved looking at all the cool tools that make working on a car much easier and faster.  A lot of them really did just that, only if: 1, I knew how to use it and 2 if I really understood what I was fixing.  The tool truly is only as good as the hands it is in. 

As I am starting a business I find myself collecting all these shiny tools that will help build the business of my dreams. Each one I jump to does not have the effect I was told it would have. After many times of this I finally stopped and asked myself : how well do I know the problem I am trying to fix and the solution I want to create. It turns out I am better at finding awesome free stuff then honing into myself. 

The best mechanics I know have the smallest tool box because they are very good at fixing the problems that they choose to focus on and are proficient with the tools they have. The same would go for anything in life that you are trying to begin. Bring the car in first and be willing to use what is the best tool in any mechanics tool box : the mind. As you fix more cars, the thought of : ‘If only I had that tool to do this’ will not come to mind, but instead the thought of : ’I can fix this and I will fix it’, will propel you through your challenges and end in great success.