Everyone has fear. Some of us choose to ignore it, deny it and stay stuck in it. Others learn to embrace fear, befriend it and move beyond it.
You might envy people who are reaching their goals and living their dreams. You might ask, “Why not me?” “When is it my turn?”
The difference between you and the people who succeed and the people you admire is they are willing to work and overcome their fears in order to get where they want to be.
They are willing to fail, take risks and work long hours. They are willing to face rejection and invest their energy and money. They are willing to do what it takes.
Don’t allow your fear to grip you body, mind and spirit. Don’ allow your fear to wage a fight with you and your dreams.
You can learn to shrink your fear and build your confidence and courage.
The next time fear leaves you in a paralyzing state try these exercises.
1. Track your fears
Write down your fears in your journal. Next to each fear, write down it’s origin. Write down how it has controlled you in the past?
Set aside time and reflect on what you’ve written. Don’t judge your fear. Your goal is to understand it and give it space. Fear loses its hold when you observe it and gain insight into it. Fear loses its power over you.
2. Lean into your fear
Take one small step, then another. Do the things that frighten you. Only action will build courage. Tell yourself, “This fear will pass. It always has and always will.”
Your life expands as your courage and willingness to grow expands. Today lean into your fear by taking small steps. Widen your world today!
3. Relax your body
Learn to live in a relaxed state. Open your fists. Unclench your jaw. Breathe, soften your forehead and slow down your fast-beating heart. Throughout the day, take mini relaxation breaks. Get outside if you can. Even five minutes in nature will change you energy.
4. Record your past success
We fail to celebrate when we succeed. We waste no time beating ourselves up when we fail. Reflect on every decade of your life and look for your successes. This will strengthen your belief in yourself. Begin as early as age five, when you learned how to ride a bike.
You’ll be inspired, amazed and motivated by your list and how it can be used to embrace your fear. Write it all down.
5. Stop your story
Fear is an illusion. Stop making up frightening stories about your past and future. Stop rerunning them like movies in your mind. Stop terrorizing yourself. Your stories are about the pain of the past or the fear of the future.
Bring yourself to the present moment. Focus on your surroundings. The present moment is safe. Learn to live there. Create new stories filled with positive expectations of the future.
6. Make fun of your fear
Learn to laugh at it. Exaggerate the story. Make it ridiculous. Laugh some more. Try and see how crazy it is to put your life on hold and give your power away to something that isn’t real!
7. Notice abundance everywhere
Learn to think, speak and live as an abundant person. Look at what you have instead of what you want. Stop paying attention to all forms of negative media.
Notice how many clouds there are in the sky. Look at the many colors of flowers. Try and count the leaves on a tree.
We live in an abundant universe. Don’t lose sight of that. Celebrate your life. Be generous. Give. Donate. Share.
8. Adopt the success of the greats
Study the success of Zappos, Southwest Airlines, Oprah Winfrey, Victor Frankl, Bill Gates and other greats. Take note of their courageous and bold lifestyle and follow their path to greatness and beyond.
9. Develop self-belief
Focus your attention on being ready and prepared for the wonder, connections, good fortune and awesome experiences, success and joy that are yours if you are willing to work smart, hard and be open to it. You are worthy and deserving. Never forget that.
10. Take your fear and shove it
Let go of feeling embarrassed, looking stupid, being rejected and facing failure. Be willing to fail forward fast. Get through it and get beyond it.
11. View life as an awesome wild adventure
Life can be overflowing with goodness, beauty and adventure or overwhelming with and tragedy and challenges. Stay present and breathe. Be grateful for the entire adventure, hold onto your hat, and enjoy the ride.
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