What do you think is the most important quality of successful people? Is it intelligence or perseverance? Could it be charisma or diligence? What if I told you that the most important quality of any successful person is courage?

Statistically, the greatest barrier to success in any part of our lives is fear. Fear of many things. Fear of failure. Fear of experiencing something new. Fear of reaching out. Fear of success itself.

Do you let fear take you out of the game? Have you ever had an opportunity to do something that you turned down for some reason? What was your reason? Was it a legitimate reason or a fear based reason? Here’s an example of what I am talking about.

Just a few days ago, I let my fear take me out. I received a phone call from a fellow internet marketer asking if I was interested in doing some consulting. My immediate answer was “That’s not my area of expertise”. Which was somewhat true – I do not consider myself an “expert”, but I do have enough skill in that subject area to provide guidance to someone who needs that service.

After I hung up the phone, I knew I had lied to the gentleman on the other end of the line as well as to myself. I did not like the way copping out made me feel. The feeling was strong enough to make me stop and examine my motives for turning down the opportunity.

You can guess the reason. It was fear. I was afraid to share my knowledge for fear that it may not be adequate. That "I" may not be adequate! After that revelation, I immediately picked up the phone and made the commitment to do the consulting work – still afraid – but knowing that I am adequate to do the job.

Think about how your own fears may be holding you back the next time you are confronted with an opportunity to do something new. Examine if it is you fear that is holding you back from being as successful as you would like to be. Have the courage to take the risk.

"It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "always do what you are afraid to do." Ralph Waldo Emerson

About the author:
Linda Symonds is a successful internet marketer and entrepreneur. Linda's current project is working with a Inc500 company to coach people all over the world to use the internet to reach business success. Visit http://www.easymoneymakingwebsite.com to learn more.