“Courage is fear that’s said its prayers.” (Dorothy Bernard, author)
I decided voluntarily to change my career and lifestyle in 2006, after living and working in the same place for several decades. I was older, and I moved to take a career opportunity in a place where I didn’t know anyone. My friends and colleagues told me I was out of my mind and absolutely crazy, but they also told me how “gutsy” I was. I knew life as I had known it was going to change anyway, and it was time for a new chapter and adventure. I took the leap, and have never looked back.
Fear is such a powerful and debilitating mental condition. It has kept me from doing many things.
The unbelievable truth about fear is it usually is not grounded in reality. Read any psychology 101 book, and it will tell you we build up most fears in our minds, and make them into mountains. Our fears develop from our experiences, traumas, and situations, which are usually unresolved over many cycles and parts of our lives.
Dealing with fear
To deal with fear realistically, I had to determine which fears were what I called GIR (Grounded In Reality) or NGIR (Not Grounded In Reality). This took years. I still have moments of paralysis, but they do not last very long. I focus on my capabilities, on the now, and on taking action.
If fear is holding you back from doing what you want to do then take a fear inventory and rule out what’s real and what’s not. List the key fears you have now in two columns: Grounded In Reality or Not Grounded In Reality. Then, answer these questions with regard to each fear:
- Why do I have this fear?
- What’s the worst that can happen?
- Who can I reach out to for encouragement and support?
- Do I need some professional help?
Don’t allow fear to hold you back from living your life, and becoming who you want to be. You will miss out on way too many opportunities to do things, and meet people who will impact and shape your life forever. Life is a meandering stream and part of the excitement and adventure is to go with the flow.
Don’t let fear rule your life. Build and use a support team and work it out with them. Take small steps and do a few things that can make a big difference. Work on the fears that are holding you back now.
When you get to the other side and you look back at the mountain you made out of the molehill, you will be proud of yourself! Building self confidence is a big part of personal branding. Charisma is magnetic. Charisma and fear just don’t do well together.
Be Fear-Less. Face Everything and Roar!
Author:
Deborah Shane is an author, media host, speaker, writer and branding strategist. She hosts her Toolbox Blog and is in her third year of hosting a weekly business radio show called Deborah Shane’s Metropolis that has over 32K downloads! She is a regular contributor to several national business, career and marketing blogs and websites. Her new book Career Transition-make the shift is available on Amazon.com and all major book sellers. Deborah delivers smart, no-nonsense ideas and solutions, which make her a popular go-to resource for clients, national media and influential blogs. Visit her at www.deborahshane.com.
