Fear Not

Let’s talk about that bad four-letter word; you know the one that starts with an F…FEAR.

We know it all too well, we all face it at some point or another but how do we overcome it?

I have read so many books, articles and blogs on this subject and so I thought what the heck, what’s one more; there is obviously a prevalent presence of fear in our lives so I figure it could only help to have one more article on it.

More importantly, the reason I felt the need to write about fear is because it can be the one barrier in between where you are and where you want to be; it can literally hold you hostage.

I know I have been paralyzed by it time and time again; I have had the fear of rejection, the fear of criticism, the fear that I’m not good enough, the fear of being uncomfortable, the fear of not succeeding, etc., etc.

But what if I was to look fear in the face and go for it anyways, what is the absolutely worst case scenario should my fear become a reality?

I get rejected, someone tells me no, there is still a chance of someone else saying yes.

I get criticized…well opinions are a dime a dozen anyways and everyone has one but there is also a chance of learning something new.

I fail miserably but maybe, just maybe I will succeed fully.

When I put it into this perspective the latter of each is worth risking the worst case scenario don’t you agree?

Sometimes this can be easier said than done; I obviously still have fears but I try instead, to use them to my advantage.

Come on baby light my fire

Let’s take for example my fear of public speaking, I have always had this fear for as long as I can remember and it’s kept me from a lot of opportunities.

For some reason though, I have always been fascinated with people who can speak so effortlessly and I have always told myself that one day I would conquer this fear.

Instead of allowing my fear to cripple me, I now use it to fuel my fire.

I have since spoken in front of the State Assembly in Sacramento, I have been on a T.V. show in front of millions of viewers, I have spoken in meetings and spoken up in group settings and here I am sharing my thoughts in a blog! Regardless of where it was done the most important thing to me is that I spoke; I made the decision that my voice was more important than my fear.

I definitely haven’t conquered it yet but with each opportunity I step up to, I gain a little more fuel and a little more fire.

So what about you? What are your fears and how can you use them to your advantage?

Will you turn around and look fear in its face instead of letting it stand behind you and whisper things in your ear like, “you’re not good enough”, “you can’t do it” or “just give up”.

Just think of all the people who could’ve, should’ve, would’ve been had it not been for fear and decide that that person will not be you.

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’d love to hear about the fears you face and the ones you’ve conquered, so as always please share in the comments below.

Thanks for visiting.