Fear can be incapacitating. The fear of the unknown or making the wrong decision can put your life on hold. You then find a safe spot in your comfort zone and avoid making major life decisions.
Sometimes fear can feel like someone physically holding on to you and dragging you back, putting a hold on your life and making you feel you are drowning.
Everyone has fears. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we have. But it is also possible for you to courageously face those fears.
First, acknowledge your fear. Hiding your fear does not take it away. You give it the chance to come back stronger. And it will keep getting stronger each time you do.
In acknowledging your fears, you take a step closer to facing them courageously. Admitting to them helps to remove any shame and thus, can’t go against you.
Remember, bravery is not about removing fear but moving ahead despite being afraid.
Consider these practical techniques:
1. Confront it. Understanding why you have those fears makes it much easier for you to face them. And you can only do so by confronting your fear. But fear can be a lifetime enemy only if you let it.
For example, if you’re afraid to start a business you’ve always dreamed of, ask yourself, “Am I scared because I think I won’t be able to do it? Or am I afraid that it won’t work?”
You’ll then realize that your fear is often based on trying not to feel down about yourself. But you can use this to your advantage. It is an experience that can only strengthen you.
2. Use positive self-talk. Speak positivity to yourself. Fear could come from being fed on negativity when you’re afraid.
Instead of sinking yourself into negative thoughts, replace them with positive self-talk, like “I am capable of this, even if it’s not perfect” and “It’s okay. If I don’t know enough, I can always learn.”
Just remember, everyone was once a beginner like you. Your confidence will grow.
3. Practice focusing on your task. This helps you to stay calm and level. It can help you maintain your composure and reduce anxiety.
When we’re afraid, we are usually worried about what might happen, not what is happening at the moment. These are the thoughts that make us anxious.
You can learn to identify these thoughts, keep them under control, and not let them take control over you.
4. Embrace failure. Success does not come without loss. Failing at doing something is okay. You do not need to get it right the first time or the time after.
Do not be afraid to fail. See it as a learning process and that you can only get better by making those mistakes.
It will help you build resilience and overcome any future challenges. Have a growth mindset, believe you can learn through your failures, and try again.
Facing your fears likely won’t be a straightforward process but avoid giving up on yourself while still learning.
Give yourself as many chances as you need. Persevere past your fears. You’ll be glad you did!
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Thank you for reading our blog!
- Mike Acker
Check out my new book on Public Speaking: Speak with Confidence, published by WILEY.
A breakthrough to develop confidence in speaking, leadership, and life. A follow-up book to my best-selling book, Speak with No Fear
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