Overcoming Fear
Recently, I have been thinking a lot about fear, and the negative effects it has. Like everyone, it’s an emotion I have felt many times during my life. Although, I have found that fear has been more prevalent over the last few years, due to a number of reasons.
For me fear can come from many varied sources, such as dealing with multi surgeries this year, thinking about mortality, a body that doesn’t respond like it used to, dealing with the economic effects of COVID, and starting another new business…
Fear is a powerful and natural human emotion designed to keep us safe from potential threats, by warning us to take action. On the one end of the continuum fear becomes a great motivator, and on the other end fear can become a barrier to personal growth and happiness and can keep us in a box.
I like the idea of pushing and overcoming fear; it’s a challenge to me, almost like an athletic endeavor. Actually, I have applied some of the same methods and strategies I have used to overcome a daunting physical (athletic) endeavor to overcome it. I wanted to create a way for myself to use fear to move myself in the desired direction. With this in mind, I would like to share the following tactics I utilize that allow me to live a more fulfilling life while not being frozen and encumbered by fear.
Understand Your Fear:
I have found that to overcome fear, it’s important to understand its source. Identify the specific fears that hold you back and analyze their origins. Write them down. By gaining insight into the source of your fears, you can begin to address them more effectively.
Face Your Fears:
Confronting all your fears head-on can be daunting and overwhelming, but facing them in smaller digestible pieces can make the process more manageable. Break down your fears into smaller, more manageable steps, and tackle them one at a time. Each small victory will boost your confidence and resilience for the next one.
Shift The Perspective:
Change the way you perceive fear. Instead of viewing it as a roadblock, see it as an opportunity for growth. Understand that overcoming fear is a journey, and the challenges you face along the way contribute to your personal development. There is an enormous satisfaction overcoming a fear, it can even be immensely euphoric while becoming a building block.
Develop a Positive Mindset:
Adopting a positive mindset can significantly impact your ability to overcome fear. Focus on the possibilities and opportunities that lie beyond your fears. Replace negative thoughts with affirmations and visualize success to build a more optimistic outlook. I find this hard to do, but with some effort definitely not impossible.
Support System:
Surround yourself with close friends (who really know you), family, or carefully selected mentors who can encourage and guide you through challenging times. Sharing your fears with others not only alleviates the burden but also provides valuable perspectives, advice, and a possible road towards the light.
Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity:
Fear of failure is a common obstacle. However, viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can totally change your approach and outlook. Understanding that setbacks are a natural part of life and any journey, can lead to valuable lessons and growth.
Coping Strategies:
Equip yourself with coping strategies to manage fear in the moment. Try techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or visualization which can help you stay calm and focused, when faced with challenging situations.
Set Realistic Goals:
Establish achievable goals that are associated and aligned with overcoming your specific fears. As you reach these milestones, you’ll build confidence and momentum, making it easier to tackle more significant challenges.
Continuous Self-Reflection:
Regularly reflect on your progress. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and learn from your experiences. This ongoing self-awareness will contribute to your overall personal development and help you realize that you can achieve and overcome anything that is thrown at you.
Find God:
I was baptized in November 2020, and haven’t looked back since. The power of Him being in my life is so powerful. Being spiritual adds another force-field around me. In practical terms, it is like having an additional tool to take on the biggest challenges that life throws in my direction. Knowing that I will always be protected, with His presence, definitely creates more confidence, allowing me to look a fear straight in-the-eye, and overcoming it as quickly as possible.
Overcoming fear is a deep transformative journey that requires control, patience, persistence, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. By understanding your fears, facing them gradually, and cultivating a positive mindset, I have found you can unlock your true potential and lead a life free from the constraints of fear. I have heard it say that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
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