Are you allowing fear to block you from a happy life? If so, you arenβt alone. Every day it prevents millions of people from doing things that would improve their lives. Thus, you must crush this horrendous emotion.
Fear is the voice that whispers, βYou canβt do that. Youβre not good enough. Forget about it and move on.β But donβt listen to it.
Taking calculated risks is how you make massive progress. Whereas not taking action breeds more dreadful thoughts.
Remember the things you used to be afraid of but arenβt anymore? Thatβs proof that you can overcome this roadblock! Youβve done it before, and you can do it again.
Whatβs something you could do that would make a colossal impact on your life or business? Whatβs holding you back from taking action?
Hereβs how to conquer your fear so nothing can hold you back from what you want!
1. Get to know your fear
First, you need to acknowledge that your fear exists. If you donβt stare it in the face, itβll grow till itβs almost too massive to handle.
Write it down and then answer the following questions:
- What have you always wanted to do?
- Think of the ideal version of yourself. What do you need to overcome to become that person?
You donβt need to be afraid of situations that havenβt happened. Even if they do occur, theyβre usually not as bad as we thought theyβd be.
2. Imagine your worst fear happening
βThe remarkable thing is that as soon as you stop resisting the worst possible outcome, youβll relax, your mind will clear, and your ability to deal with the situation will improve dramatically.β
β Brian Tracy
Now, letβs do something really scary and imagine the worst-case scenario. This is to show you that you could handle it if it happened. True, it wouldnβt be the greatest time ever, but over time, things would return to normal, and youβd be okay. Chances are, it wouldnβt be as horrendous as you imagined.
For example, if you wanted to get a raise, the worst thing that could happen is that they say no. The scariest part would be your thoughts in response to rejection. They can be torture! Luckily, thatβs in your control. If you think, βThatβs okay, they might be having budget issues. Maybe this is a sign that I should apply for a better job elsewhere? Iβm ready for the abundance I deserve!β
So, if your biggest fear happens, accept it and think optimistic thoughts about how youβd handle it.
3. Make a plan to face your fear
βDo the thing we fear, and death of fear is certain.β
βRalph Waldo Emerson
Next, plan to take steps toward doing what you fear. You donβt have to cannonball right into the thick of it; you can take baby steps if that gets the ball rolling. Itβs imperative that you face your anxiety because the more you ignore it, the more it intensifies. When you confront it, it shrinks.
Ask yourself:
- What am I worried about when I imagine doing this daunting task?
- What can I do to lessen my anxiety?
- If I fine-tuned my skills, would I feel more confident?
Write down your solutions and schedule when youβll do them.
If you want to learn something new, take online classes, watch videos, and read about it. But, donβt get stuck in an endless learning cycle; youβll need to practice too.
The more competent you are, the more courageous you become.
4. Visualize yourself being fearless and succeeding
βOne of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldnβt do.β
β Henry Ford
Your perspective about your fears is powerful. Self-fulfilling prophecies are real, so your mindset can cause you to fail. Thus, solidifying your dread.
In other words, if you think negative thoughts about it, the more youβll terrify yourself.
Imagine yourself far into the future when youβre old and looking back on your life. What would you think about the situation youβre avoiding?
You donβt want to regret not taking the chance to improve your life. Luckily, you can trick your subconscious into not feeling frightened by these things. It understands imagery and emotions, and it believes what you imagine or feel is real. Also, itβs easy to fool with repetition. In fact, itβll believe almost anything if itβs repeated enough.
So, if youβre nervous about doing a speech, imagine yourself feeling amazing and speaking with total confidence. You could even get a standing ovation! If you envision this repeatedly, your subconscious will believe it actually happened!
Always picture yourself accomplishing your dreams with no trepidation. Focus on how great you feel and how easy it is for you to succeed. Do this every night before going to sleep and your subconscious will make it happen.
5. Do what you fear repeatedly
βDo the thing you fear to do and keep on doing itβ¦ that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.β
β Dale Carnegie
Finally, you will need to do what you fear. Donβt back out now; this step is what will free you! It doesnβt make sense to hold on to it like itβll protect you because itβs robbing you of a happier life.
Suppose youβre in a burning building, but youβre petrified to run through the flames to safety. The only way to break free from certain death is to stop worrying and go for it. Youβd have to force yourself to feel the fear but take action despite it. Do what scares you enough times, and it wonβt phase you anymore.
In reality, your βcomfort zoneβ should be what terrifies you because thatβs where all dreams go to die. There you flip channels and scroll your existence away, never accomplishing anything.
Furthermore, your fears can trap you there for a lifetime. Nothing is worth wasting your precious life!
In the end, have the determination to face your fear so you can free yourself from it. Itβll be uncomfortable, but itβs necessary. When youβre old, you donβt want to regret having a half-lived life because of it.
So, challenge yourself to do scary things (within reason) until it has no control over you. After each milestone, youβll gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. Then after you do what youβve been avoiding, it wonβt seem like such a big deal. In fact, youβll be kicking yourself for not defeating it sooner!
Why would you sacrifice the success you deserve for an imagined problem?
If you see the value in articles like this one, sign up to become a Motivated Progress subscriber below.
I needed this more than I know how to express!! Iβve been through some very traumatic situations in the past couple of years and itβs changed me. I feel paralyzed for some reason but I think this and articles like it will help me find myself again.
Hi Rhonda! Iβm so happy you found it! You needed to read it. Iβm so glad it helped you. Iβve been through some hard times too. In fact, writing these articles have helped me fix any damage. Iβm certain these articles will help you! And theyβre free π