I recently read the above statement, coined by life coach Tony Robbins that sums up the essence of overcoming challenges, stepping out of comfort zones, and unlocking one’s true potential. It reveals a powerful truth about human resilience and determination. This saying invites us to examine our perceived limitations, the importance of taking responsibility, and the transformative power of necessity. What is the meaning behind the words? The phrase begins with, “If you can’t, you must.” This challenges the very notion of “can’t,” which is often more of a mental barrier than an actual impossibility. When we tell ourselves we can’t do something, it’s usually because we are afraid—afraid of failure, judgment, or stepping into the unknown. This quote flips that fear on its head by asserting that the very act of believing you can’t do something is precisely why you must try. The second part of the phrase, “And if you must, you can,” speaks to the incredible resourcefulness and strength humans demonstrate when necessity arises. Think about moments in your life when you were faced with a do-or-die situation. Often, those are the times when you discover abilities you didn’t know you had. When something becomes an absolute necessity, we find ways to rise to the occasion, even in the face of daunting odds. Together, the two parts of this quote create a call to action: stop letting perceived limitations define you and start seeing challenges as opportunities for growth. We must confront fear and resistance, but how? Fear and resistance are common reactions to stepping outside our comfort zones. The idea of “If you can’t, you must” encourages us to face those fears head-on. The areas where we feel the most resistance are often the places where we have the most room for growth. For example, I have virtually no fear of speaking in front of a large group of people, whether publicly or via a digital mode, such as zoom. But, when it comes to getting up the nerve to do a pop-in, my heart starts racing. my palms start sweating and tons of fear creeps into my head. I start thinking, "What if they think I am bothering them? What if I can't get my elevator pitch out right that helps them to take action? What if..... You get the point. However, by leaning into the challenge and practicing pop-ins, I can transform fear into confidence.

Every single time I stumble across a new marketing idea, it’s like the universe dares me to face my fears. And let me tell you, marketing terrifies me. Every. Single. Time. Reaching out to estate planning attorneys had been on my mind for a while. There was one attorney, in particular, whose work I’d been following online. I’d read an article he wrote about the complexities of estate planning in blended families, and I found it fascinating. His thoughtful approach to such delicate situations really stood out. I decided to use that as my starting point. I drafted my first email, referencing his article and expressing how much I admired his insights. Then, I shared a little about myself—how I specialize in making the notarization process seamless and stress-free for clients dealing with emotional or complex estate planning matters. I closed with a polite invitation for a coffee meeting, hoping to discuss how I could support his practice. After I hit send, the nerves kicked in. Would he respond? Was this too forward? The doubts were loud, but then a reply landed in my inbox a few days later: "Jennifer, thank you for your kind words about my article. Your work sounds interesting—let’s keep in touch." That reply turned into a back-and-forth over several weeks. Each time, I made sure to add value to the conversation, sharing little insights about notarization that might benefit his practice. The exchanges felt natural and built a sense of trust. Finally, after a particularly engaging thread, he suggested we meet for coffee to discuss things in more detail. That coffee date became the turning point. Over lattes, we discussed the challenges his clients often faced with legal documents and how having a dependable notary could alleviate some of the pressure. I shared stories of how I’ve helped other attorneys streamline their processes and ensure client satisfaction. By the end of the meeting, we’d clicked. Not long after, he started sending referrals my way. I quickly realized that I could also send business his way. Over the course of the next year, I referred over 30 of my notary clients to him—individuals looking for solid legal advice on their estate plans. Most of them ended up hiring him.

As it is slowing down during the holiday my inner voice of doom rears its ugly head. “You wont have a successful month and January will be just as bad” my stomach was in knots last night thinking about all I could have done this year and how much more I need to learn and grow to become “successful”. There is this overwhelming feeling of not knowing what to focus on next because there are so many paths and areas to grow. The notary profession oftentimes feels like a hydra with many heads and it’s difficult to know what to focus on. This morning I am a bit more clear headed and wanted to reach out to you all to share this vulnerability I think we all have. Fear of failure and our inner saboteur feeling overwhelmed by information. I know I can’t be the only one. How do you not feel overwhelmed by the stress of building a business learning new skills and keeping your financial head above water? How do you keep your inner critic at bay? I try and look at my notary career as a marathon not a dash. And to give myself grace.

Marketing your business can be intimidating. The fear of rejection, judgment, or even failure might stop you from hitting “post” or making that pitch. But here’s the truth: fear only grows when you let it hold you back. Instead of avoiding fear, lean into it. Start small—try one new strategy, send one email, post one reel. Each action chips away at the shadow fear casts. Remember, you’re not marketing yourself—you’re marketing your value, your solutions, your expertise. Your audience needs what you offer. Don’t let fear keep you from helping them. Take that first step today—you’ve got this and you’ve got @Jen Neitzel the master of marketing and conquering the fear that surrounds it!

This topic has been on my mind for a couple months. What am I giving value to in my life and am I willing to gather up my courage and attempt to walk the path in front of me? I've been researching so many attorneys in my area, and tomorrow is the day, I'm walking into 1 of them! No more fear! No more keeping it in the unknown! I keep failing at it by not doing it, once I take action it will shift into an accomplishment🦁🦁