Soldiers have mastered the skill of combating one of the strongest human emotions — fear. There is no place for fear on the battlefield. The battlefield is a place for confidence, teamwork and decisive action.
 
There is no room for fear in the business world either. Being confident is essential to climb the corporate ladder. When it comes to success in the private sector, you can’t hesitate to make decisions or take risks.
 
Here is Donald Trump's take on risk: "Every day, you'll have opportunities to take chances and to work outside your safety net. Sure, it's a lot easier to stay in your comfort zone (in my case, business suits and real estate) but sometimes you have to take risks. When the risks pay off, that's when you reap the biggest rewards."
 
Hearst Magazine CEO Cathie Black agrees that risk-taking is a required component of career advancement. In her book, “Basic Black,” Ms. Black says that it’s important to take risks that are calculated and to remember that the worst-case scenario is rarely as bad as you imagine.
 
During his inaugural address in 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt famously said to the American People: "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." The topic under discussion was The Great Depression. Roosevelt argued that in a nation as great as the United States, that we all possess the ability to counter our fears with bold thoughts and actions.
 
Athletes also know the importance of controlling fear. Mike Tyson was once taught by legendary boxing coach Cus D'amato that fear is like a fire that can burn out of control if not tamed. D’mato once told the future heavy weight champ, “Heroes and cowards feel exactly the same fear; they just respond differently.”
 
Dr. Michael Silverman author of “Unleash Your Dreams: Tame Your Hidden Fears and Live The Life You Were Meant to Live” is a New York psychologist and neuroscientist who studies the human brain. His research with athletes has led him to conclude that there are a number of common fears that can sabotage a person making a career transition (for example, a soldier entering the private sector).

The most common fears include fear of failure, fear of mediocrity and surprisingly, fear of success. Dr. Silverman advises that, "opportunities are created, they rarely fall into one's lap." That is, we create opportunities by being open to change and the willingness to take a risk.
 
The formula: risk + change+ growth = opportunity.
 
As a career advisor, I recommend that job candidates prepare for their future career. Preparation is a tried and true way to combat fear and help convert negative energy to confidence. Basketball legend Larry Bird used to take thousands of practice shots so that he would have the confidence to take and make the game winning shot when it mattered most. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to bring your "A game" to all that you do.
 
In conclusion, don't be afraid to take calculated risks. In life, like in business, fortune favors the bold.