21 Tips to Overcome Your Fear and Live Your Dreams

by Tess


In a world that moves at a rapid pace, it’s easy to feel like you’re being left behind while others are succeeding at making their dreams come true. 

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. ~ Pamela Vaull Starr

It can be tempting to give up or give in and live a life without meaning, purpose, or happiness. Don’t! 

I grew up number six in a family of 10. I struggled to keep up with my brothers and sisters and I struggled to get my parent’s attention. I found a way to survive and even thrive.

I married and started my family when I was very young. I struggled to make time for myself. I struggled to make my dreams come true. I never gave up. 

It took me nine and a half years to get my bachelors degree while raising my four daughters. I earned my masters degree in less than three years. 

When I was young I decided that I would permanently move to a warmer climate someday. Twenty years later I finally did it. I never have to drive on ice or shovel snow again! I will grow old in a warm climate. 

What if you really knew, in your heart, mind, and soul that you could succeed? What would you do? When would you begin? 

It doesn’t matter how long it takes. It only matters that you begin. That you never give up. 

If I can do it, so can you! Be bold, be committed, and be determined to get where you want to go. Begin today! 

Read on and discover how to get where you want to go, starting today! 

1. Ask for help.

It's not the load that breaks you down; it's the way you carry it. ~ Lena Horne

Find the people who can and will support you. If someone says no, ask somebody else. When someone ignores your request or tells you no, move on. Don’t take it personally. Keep asking until you get what you want.

2. Empower yourself.

The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. ~ Denis Waitley

Gather the knowledge you need. Do the research. Ask others for the necessary information. Read books. Attend a class, a seminar, or a webinar. Knowledge greatly increases your chances of success.

3. Get a mentor.

I did not give in because he would not let me give in. ~ Thomas Wolfe

Graduate school was difficult for me. I found a mentor and I met with him every Sunday evening. I couldn't have made it through a statistics class without him. He mentored me again when I wanted to establish my private practice. 

4. Join a mastermind group.

It takes a community to maintain a human. ~ Earon Davis

Allow others to inspire and teach you. Support others as well. When you’re part of a strong group you increase your confidence and learn quicker. Your chances of success skyrocket. 

5. Make time for your dreams.

Don't count every hour in the day. Make every hour in the day count. ~ Unknown

Eliminate television, surfing the net, excessive social media and other bad habits. Dedicate your free time to doing what you love. 

6. Decrease your anxiety.

Smile, breathe, and go slowly. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Meditate, practice breathing deeply, and spend time in nature. These actions steps will help you clear your mind of doubt and worry. 

7. Let go of of paralysis, hopelessness, and helplessness. 

It's better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward. ~ Chinese proverb

Begin small and go slowly. You will feel less stressed and overwhelmed. You will gain the courage to do things you never thought you could do. You will learn to take and manage risks. 

8. Keep a success journal. 

The answers have always been inside of you. ~ Jodi Chapman

Each morning write down one small success. Write down the things that went right in the last 24 hours. This one step will help motivate you everyday.

9. Be happy now.

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction. ~ Salvador Dali

Don’t wait until you succeed to be happy. Happiness comes from within. It’s not dependent on anything external. Success doesn’t bring happiness. There are a lot of miserable but wealthy, successful people. 

10. Sleep, eat, and exercise well.

Take time to relax, when you don't have time for it. ~ Unknown

Often times when you are struggling, making changes, or working on a big project, these are the first three things to go. Know this need not be! 

11. Focus on your vision and your success.

Create living pictures of the end result in your mind. It will keep you from being distracted by outside events or circumstances. 

12. Remain mindful of what you are thinking, saying, and doing.

This isn’t just “another day, another dollar.” It’s more like “another day, another miracle.” ~Victoria Moran

Think with intention. Speak positively. Take action with enthusiasm. It will make all the difference in the world.

13. Commit.  

Commit yourself to quality from day one… it's better to do nothing at all than to do something badly. ~ Mark McCormack

Decide that you will do everything you need to do. Don’t give up until a task is finished. Focus on the task and actions that will move you in the right direction. Release everything that will not. 

14. Learn to delegate.

Surround yourself with great people that you can trust.

Hire someone to do what you can’t do or what you don’t like to do. Stop buying expensive coffee, unneeded gadgets, and other stuff you don’t need. Use the money you save to hire somebody! 

15. Choose positive mental states. 

The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. ~ Walter Bagehot

Enjoy the journey. Develop patience, love, compassion, and empathy for others. This will bring you inner peace. Success without inner peace is meaningless. 

16. Be kind. Help others.

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. ~ Unknown

When you succeed, remember the people who helped you along the way. Pay it back or pay it forward. This will show how authentic you really are.

16. Learn to serve.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~ Anne Frank

Life isn’t all about you. Go out of your way to help others who struggle. Bring someone else up. It’s your rent for being on the planet. 

17. Drop any thoughts of entitlement.

A man wrapped up  in himself makes a very small bundle. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Success doesn’t mean superiority.  Your possessions, money, job, travels, or awards don’t make you better than others. Don’t ever forget this. 

18. Practice being grateful.

Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Appreciate everything, especially the fact that you have the opportunity to follow your dreams and live in freedom. Other people are walking miles for their water, begging for food, and fighting to stay alive. 

19. Stay strong. 

Never, never, never give up. ~ Winston Churchill

When something isn't working, change your direction. Learn to get up when you fall down. Again and again and again. 

20. Keep your relationships a priority. 

One should never neglect his family for business. ~ Walt Disney

The quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships. Keep the people you love at the top of your list. Don't lose what matters to you the most along the way. 

21. Take responsibility

The price of greatness is responsibility. ~ Winston Churchill

You are not a victim. Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Don’t blame. You are the creator of your dreams. Nobody will do it for you. Nobody is coming to rescue you.

The choice is yours.

Choose to begin today.

Choose to overcome your fear and follow your dreams. 

Choose to make the world a better place for everyone by offering your gifts and talents. I'm here to support you!

Are you willing to let go of fear and follow your dreams?

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    { 14 comments… read them below or add one }

    Jodi Chapman March 20, 2012 at 1:26 am

    Dearest Tess,
    This post is absolutely perfect and just what I needed to read right now! You have such a way of getting right to the heart of fear, and you make it seem possible to move right through it. Thank you so much for quoting me! I am humbled and honored and feel so blessed to be your friend.
    You are amazing.
    Jodi Chapman´s last post…I Believe – Book Giveaway!

    Reply

    Tess March 20, 2012 at 4:41 am

    Jody,
    I’m a reflection of your own light. So everything you see in me is the same for you. Don’t you love the way that works! Thanks for being my friend as well and I look forward to a lot more fun and growing;)

    Reply

    Betsy at Zen Mama March 20, 2012 at 3:20 am

    Your list is (as always) amazing Tess! I love the line: “What if you really knew, in your heart, mind, and soul that you could succeed? What would you do? When would you begin?” I was just thinking yesterday about how many people are going through life not doing what they want to do. This is definitely a list to recommend and print out.
    Thanks, Tess!
    Betsy at Zen Mama´s last post…Start Thinking You’re Lucky With “Lucky Thinking”

    Reply

    Tess March 20, 2012 at 4:39 am

    Betsy,
    I chose the word create in January because this year is being filled with offerings of my talent. Because I do know in my heart and mind and soul that I can succeed! Thanks for being with me on that!

    Reply

    Karen March 20, 2012 at 8:14 am

    I particularly liked #16 – the idea that it is our rent for being on the planet. Another great blog.

    Peace,
    Karen
    Karen´s last post…A Different Approach

    Reply

    Tess March 20, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Thanks Karen, I read that somewhere years back. It just stuck with me! I appreciate your support!

    Reply

    Paige | simple mindfulness March 20, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    What an amazing list! I think you’ve just about covered every important point a person could do to live an amazing life. I tried to point out one or two items but they’re all so essential. While many of them may not be easy, they’re so important.

    I’ve worked on just about all of them in my life and each one is so powerful.

    Thanks for putting this awesome list together Tess! I’m feeling even more inspired!!
    Paige | simple mindfulness´s last post…Head vs. Heart: Which Is Smarter?

    Reply

    Paige | simple mindfulness March 20, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    Love the new BOLD header!!
    Paige | simple mindfulness´s last post…Head vs. Heart: Which Is Smarter?

    Reply

    Fran Sorin March 21, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Tess…
    This list is going to keep me busy for the rest of my life. Even if you take one of the points each week to focus on, it could make a huge difference in your life.
    And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.:) Fran

    Reply

    Betsy at Zen Mama March 22, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    Great lists and incredible quotes!! I’ve written done some of the quotes. Great post! Thanks Tess!
    Betsy at Zen Mama´s last post…Start Thinking You’re Lucky With “Lucky Thinking”

    Reply

    Megan Bord March 23, 2012 at 6:44 am

    Tess, this was, indeed (as everyone has said) a GREAT list! How do you do it? Time and again you post superbly inspirational content that just wow’s me. I loved this quote (all were fantastic, but THIS one stood out): “It takes a community to maintain a human. ~ Earon Davis”

    If you haven’t read Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers,” you may enjoy it. The first chapter deals with just that — a study that showed how integral community is to our overall well being (as in, you can live longer and die simply from old age – not dis-ease – if you’re part of a closeknit community).

    Reply

    Rose Byrd March 23, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Tess, this little guy with the handful of sand is all the picture I need to keep in mind to help me hold onto my dreams today and in coming days! The tip numbers 5,8,11, and 12 especially resonate with me right now, as they comprise a lot of what I am working on during this Lenten season. Mindful thinking and speaking when with others–so important for me and the hardest one of these to accomplish! Thanks for so much help.
    Rose Byrd´s last post…"Life is Beautiful" PhotoQuotes ~ by Linda Willows ~ Daily Inspirations 3.23.2012

    Reply

    Kashif March 24, 2012 at 7:57 am

    Amazing tips. So simple yet so practical. I am coming to the conclusion that to a live a full life, one has to let go. Less IS More.
    Kashif´s last post…Why We Fail Interviews?

    Reply

    Brigid Cappello March 26, 2012 at 5:51 am

    This is such an excellent list of tips Tess!
    There’s quite a few things here that I do, but also plenty I need to work on. The hardest for me are those that involve others: asking for help, getting a mentor, joining a mastermind group. Oh, and learning to delegate!!
    Listening to motivational podcasts and audio programs is one of my favourite ways to keep myself moving towards my dreams, gaining both knowledge and strength at the same time.
    Thanks for the great ideas and reminders here!

    Reply

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