There was a time at the beginning of my career when I literally panicked over deadlines and crunches.  I sweated, my heart raced and I worried about not meeting expectations or worse, getting fired.

But it all worked out.  The fear drove me to work smarter and harder and faster.  It showed me what I was capable of and allowed me to choose to be more productive.

And in time I gained confidence and developed my own personal swagger.  I faced the challenges.  I fought through the blood, sweat and tears.  I was forged by fire and came out stronger.  I not only survived, I exceeded expectations – mine and others.

Thirty years later I am still spinning plates; just a different kind of plates.  And time is still at a premium.  And on occasion I can smell the ugly odor of fear in the air.  But who’s got time for that?

As my dad always said, do your best and forget about the rest.