Facing Your Fears

As you begin challenging your beliefs and expanding your potential, you may have to face some fears along the way. This seems scary because most of us are used to cowering in the face of fear. We tend to avoid situations that make us feel uncomfortable, and I don’t know of any situations more uncomfortable than fearful ones!

 However, your fears are truly nothing to fear. Just like the saying goes, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

Your fears are a direct result of your beliefs. Or, more specifically, your fears are the result of CHALLENGING your beliefs.

Fear is nothing more than a conditioned response to a perceived danger. If we believe that something is dangerous or harmful to us, we naturally will fear it. Trying to force ourselves through the fear without changing our perception of it is often unnecessarily painful, though effective. There is nothing wrong with forcing yourself to face your fears if you desire to overcome them badly enough. People do this successfully every day.

But if you’re a sensitive soul who desires a gentler approach, here are some good ones for you:

➤ First, convince yourself that there is no danger. It is our belief that something will go horribly wrong if we move forward that keeps us locked in terror. One simple way to overcome this paralysis is by asking yourself, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” And, “Could I handle it if the worst did happen?” Most often, your answer will be affirmative.

➤ Plan ahead so you know what to do if the worst happens. If your fear is public speaking but you really want to (or have to) give a speech, ask yourself what the worst possible occurrence might be if you go ahead. You might answer, “stage fright,” or “flubbing my words.” Consider how you would handle those situations. Could you laugh them off and turn them into a joke for the audience? Could you visualize the audience in their underwear? You get the idea – turn your worst case scenario into a “so what?” and your perspective will change. 

➤ Visualize a different outcome. Whatever your feared outcome is, come up with an inner “script” that is in direction opposition to it and replay it over and over in your mind until you believe it. Using the public speaking example from above, visualize yourself feeling pumped up, dynamic and confident as you step onto the stage. See the audience being interested in what you have to say, listening closely, laughing at the appropriate moments, and your words flowing smoothly and effortlessly. Imagine the thunderous applause as you conclude your speech, and imagine the incredible sense of elation you’ll feel for conquering your fear. 

➤ Shrink your fears and squash them like a bug. We often feel that our fears are so much larger than we are. It feels like they LOOM over us, draining our power and diminishing our determination. Change this perception by imagining your fears shrinking, shrinking, growing smaller and less intense until they have the stature of a bug on the ground before you. Tell the fear that you’re grateful for its attempt to protect you, but you don’t need protecting. Then…step on it. Squash it into oblivion There are many more ways to challenge your fears, but the main point is to avoid letting them control your life. Fear can be so pervasive that it SEEMS to be out of our control, but remember that a fear is nothing more than a thought. Whether you examine it closely, question it, challenge it, work calmly through it or push forcefully through it doesn’t matter. As long as you remember that YOU are the one in control, not your fears.

 Like most of the other techniques in this report, fear-squashing takes some practice before you get truly comfortable with it. Take your time and keep at it, and before long you’ll be one of those people that laughs in the face of fear and thrills to whatever challenge rises up before them.

Finally, learn to use your fears as a valuable tool for awareness. We’ve covered the negative side of fear, but one benefit it does have is that it acts as a beacon to reveal your limiting beliefs! Any fear (besides genuine dangers, of course) can tell you something about yourself. Where fear lives, so do limiting beliefs. Learn to use this knowledge to your advantage. Follow your fears directly to the roots of your limiting beliefs, and yank them right out.