Fear. We’ve all felt it, right? Whether we’re facing a big life decision, chasing a dream, or simply trying to improve ourselves, fear can seem like a roadblock. But what if fear wasn’t just a barrier? What if it could also be a motivator? 🤔

In this week’s Business Story of the Week, hosted by Joshua Lori, we dive deep into the journey of Utkarsh Narang, a Melbourne-based learning consultant, executive coach, and content creator. With 16 years of experience, Utkarsh’s story reveals how fear and courage can shape success in profound ways.

From a career in physiotherapy to helping startups scale and creating content for Columbia Business School, Utkarsh has been no stranger to fear. But here’s the kicker—he learned that fear wasn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, fear can be the catalyst that pushes us to be courageous, to take risks, and to grow.

Is Fear a Motivator or a Barrier? 🛑➡️

One of the most profound moments in this episode comes when Utkarsh reflects on a TedX talk he gave, where a close friend posed an intriguing question: Were his bold career decisions based on courage, or were they driven by fear? 😯

At first, he believed it was all about courage. But after reflecting, he realized that fear had played a dual role—it could stop him, but it also propelled him forward. Fear, as Utkarsh discovered, can be a powerful motivator if we learn to channel it into positive action.

Walking the Tightrope Between Expectations and Dreams 🎭

Utkarsh grew up in a loving, supportive household with both parents working as doctors. In a typical Indian household, the expectation was for him to follow in their footsteps. And for a while, he did, becoming a successful physiotherapist and running three clinics in Delhi. However, over time, he realized that this wasn’t the life he truly wanted.

Balancing his family’s expectations with his own dreams was like walking a tightrope, as Utkarsh shares in the episode. He coins this challenge as being a “funambulist”—someone who walks the tightrope between wanting to please others and pursuing their own passions. 🎪

Yet, despite the weight of expectations, Utkarsh chose to honor his path. He realized that we are the authors of our own stories, and it’s up to us to decide how we navigate the challenges life throws our way.

Overcoming Fear with Love 💖

One of the most impactful lessons Utkarsh shares is the relationship between fear and love. Many of us think of the opposite of love as hate, but Utkarsh highlights that it’s actually fear. When we’re fearful, it’s because we care deeply. Fear often stems from a desire to protect the things we love—our dreams, our relationships, our futures.

The key? Overcome fear by acting out of love. This approach, as Utkarsh explains, allows us to express our truths and face our fears in a way that doesn’t alienate or harm others. In his executive coaching, Utkarsh encourages his clients to embrace love over fear, creating a safe space for growth and transformation.

Applying Core Values in Business Coaching 🚀

Utkarsh’s five core values—discipline, excellence, growth, freedom, and love—aren’t just words. They’re the foundation of his life and business.

• Discipline: Even on day one of his business, with no clients or email address, Utkarsh showed up at his desk, ready to work. That’s discipline. 💪
• Excellence: Whether it’s a project for a client or personal growth, Utkarsh believes in giving 100%.
• Growth: Without growth, we’re stagnant. Utkarsh emphasizes that growth is essential to the human spirit. 🌱
• Freedom: True coaching, he says, is about freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs.
• Love: It’s all about love. In everything we do, love should be the guiding force.

Ignite Life Journal and the 2% Rule 🔥📝

To support others in their personal growth journey, Utkarsh created the Ignite Life Journal, a 183-page journal designed to help individuals dedicate just 28 minutes a day (2% of their time) to self-reflection. Available on Amazon, this journal is a practical tool for anyone looking to build discipline and achieve lasting personal growth.