I talk to women all the time who have a great business idea, fantastic business plan, and awesome family support, who are still hesitant to start the business of their dreams. They live in “what if?” land. What if nobody wants my product? What if I use my savings to start my business, and it fails? What if I don’t have enough time to get it all done? What if, what if, what if.

Starting a new business can be exciting, exhilarating, and very frightening. The only way to know the answers to all the “what ifs” is to jump in and just do it. Sticking your toe in to test the waters isn’t always enough. Immerse yourself in your new business, determined to make it a success, and you have a much better chance at realizing your dream.

What if you let the “what ifs” stop you? What if you remain paralyzed by what if-itis? Is it worth living in regret, or the misery of hope-a hope-a land, hoping that some day, everything will be in place for the perfect opportunity to land in your lap? What if that opportunity is sitting in your lap Right Now, and you continue to daydream about success, but never reach out to grab it?

Nothing great has ever been achieved without risk. You may fail. You may even fail spectacularly. You may fail so huge, the climb back out of the hole seems impossible. Or, you may be on the ride of your life, with new and exciting things happening every day. You may achieve your dream, and go beyond it, to heights you never imagined were possible.

Stop worrying yourself into inactivity. Stop focusing on the risks that keep you from making a move, and start counting the rewards that come from doing something you love.

You’ll make mistakes, and from them, you get experience. Stumbling along the way helps you better focus on what you truly want. The experience helps you get it right the next time.

Now, go out and do it. Change all those “what ifs” to “What if it all goes right?”