Taking Action Even When You’re Scared to Death

Fear is a normal emotion. Sometimes, it can be beneficial because it makes you aware of risks, keeps you alert, and improves mental focus. However, too much fear will have the opposite effect. Don’t fret as even the most successful people experience this feeling. The key is to prevent it from dictating and controlling your actions.

The Many Shades of Fear

This human emotion isn’t all black and white. Fear can take many forms, from mild anxiety to downright debilitating overthinking. Under certain circumstances, it can protect you from danger and stop impulsive behaviours. But, because it’s closely tied into your gut instinct, it can also help you improve your decision making.

But not all types of fear are good for you. In fact, this emotion often does more harm than good. It can keep you from reaching your full potential, fuel procrastination, and cause stress and anxiety.

Let’s say you want to quit your 9-to-5 job and start a creative agency or work as a freelance web designer. You might be afraid that you’ll lose time and money if things don’t work out as you planned. What if you won’t have enough clients? Or what if you get sick and can’t work anymore?

The risks are real, so it’s normal to experience fear. However, you’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t try. Who knows? You might have huge success and build a loyal customer base. Five years from now, you could have enough money to buy the home of your dreams. Do you want to live your life in regret and wondering ….What if?

How to Conquer Your Fear

No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to get rid of fear completely. Instead, you should make it your ally, turn fear into your friend.

Picture yourself reaching your goal, whatever it is. Imagine the worst-case scenario and then come up with a backup plan. Ask yourself: What are the facts? Am I making assumptions? What’s the best thing that can happen? Who can I call for help? Who can support me? What other resources do I need? What am I prepared to do to get what I want?

Assess your inner fears and seek possible solutions. Using the example above, you could start a web design side hustle in addition to your regular job. I have clients who have finally found their passions and their purpose and start a side hustle doing the things they love. In the process they are creating a future where their dreams are coming into their reality. By creating a side hustle this way, you still have an income as you build your dream. If it keeps growing, turn it into a full-time job. With this approach, you’ll get to do what you want and reduce the risks.

Use your fear as a source of guidance, it has message for you, letting you know that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and this is a part of growing and evolving and how we achieve many goals in life.

Ironically for those who never take any risks live with a dread of something going wrong, seeking security above all else, but unfortunately fear fuels insecurity. It is actually easier and infinitely more life-fulfilling, to step outside of our comfort zone and try new things. The decision to include more challenges into your life actually creates a feeling of security because you know you can tackle anything and will give it a go because you are building confidence and resilience.

The quote “Feel the fear and do it anyway”,  by Susan Jeffers is such a powerful quote, the alternative is staying locked up in your fears which is a life-long prison keeping you from reaching your full potential.

You can take back control of your fear!!!

One of my clients who experienced Agoraphobia couldn’t drive on the expressway, she realised the more she allowed fear to control her making her avoid confronting the expressway the more it made it worse.

Since turning fear into her friend and now using the resources and learnings in other areas of her life she is empowered to achieve her dreams and goals.

What would you be doing if you knew you couldn’t fail? And with that thought, what are you willing to do to make it happen?

Cheers to fearlessly pursuing your dreams!

Lai