Today’s post is for Sharon. Thank you for the inspiration Sharon and all the best facing your fear!
Most people are afraid of something. And that’s ok. What you do with your fear could cripple you for life or launch you beyond all your wildest dreams. Fear gets in the way of success. If you wish to move forward, if you wish to be successful, if you wish to grow, if you wish to be the best version of yourself that you hope to be, if you wish to find your passion and design your best life, you must face your fears.
So what are you afraid of?
Fear of failure? Fear of success? Fear of being exposed as a fraud? Fear of being hurt? Fear of being abandoned? Fear of not being good enough? Fear of not being able to live up to expectations? Fear of heights? Fear of enclosed spaces? Fear of being rejected? Fear of hard work? Fear of not making the right decision? Fear of regret? Fear of criticism?
Your fear has probably established itself through something that has happened to you in your life. Whatever that thing was, it was obviously very valid in your mind at the time and therefore, the fear was real. In the past, the fear served to protect you from something. You may believe it’s still serving its purpose. But what if you are stronger now? What if you now have the tools to face your fear and overcome it? What if you have reached a point in your life where you now have the skills to be better than your fear? What if you could do it?
Could you try? How would you try?
If you are ready to face your fear, here are some steps you can take:
1. You must analyse the fear and acknowledge it. Where did it come from? What purpose did it serve me in the past? Do I still need to be protected from that? Can it still hurt me?
2. You must try and face your fear. Start with small steps. Small exposure to your fear gradually desensitises you to it and the more you see that it can’t hurt you anymore, the stronger you become against it. When you feel strong enough, face your fear head on.
3. Step outside of your fear and rationalise it. See your fear through the eyes of someone who is not afraid.
4. Seek support from friends, family, support networks dealing with your fear, depending on what it is there is likely to be a huge army of people you can surround yourself with to help.
5. Keep taking small steps. If your fear has taken a lifetime to develop and establish itself, it’s not going to go away in an instant. But by taking one small step every day, you will eventually see massive progress and who knows what the future may hold for you, sans fear.