This is a guest post by Todd.
Fear can propel you forward or suffocate you.
It is a powerful motivator.
You want to listen to it when it’s warning you of danger, but sometimes you still need to turn down the volume.
Risk is dangerous, and if you want to propel yourself forward, you’re going to have to take risks.
Decide If Fear Is Holding You Back
Is it possible that fear is suffocating your dreams?
Here’s a quiz to evaluate if fear is holding you back from the realization of your dreams:
- Do you fear failure?
- Do you fear what people think (or looking stupid)?
- Do you fear moving forward due to financial concerns?
- Does thinking about attacking the tasks to start your dream make you feel tired, depressed, or defeated?
- Do you enjoy the comfort of “playing it safe”?
Of course, my quiz isn’t scientific. We’ve all felt these fears. On some level, most of us face fears 1 and 2 on an almost daily basis.
If you answered yes to most of the questions above, fear is probably suffocating your dreams.
How To Overcome Your Fear and Realize Your Dream
Here’s what you can do to overcome your fear:
1. Identify the Fear
Dig down to specifically what you’re afraid of. Is it the disapproval of a particular person? (Will they truly care anyhow?)
Is it the self-criticism that comes from within?
Is it a fear of falling flat on your face?
2. Evaluate If It’s Real
Take a long hard look at your fear. Is it external or internal to you?
For example, fearing the loss of money or of injury is valid and real. You’ve got to take a look and decide if what you want to try is something you’re prepared for.
Is what you fear internal? Self-fabricated? These feelings and thoughts aren’t invalid or unreal. You certainly are experiencing them. But if they aren’t external to you, they don’t pose a real threat except to control you from taking a stab at your dream.
“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
~ Japanese Proverb
3. Exposure
In order to give your fear a knock-out kick to the face, you can’t run from it. You must face and it and expose yourself to it.
People who are afraid of public speaking will need to expose themselves to it. People who are afraid of flying have to get in an airplane. Sure, there are other steps along the way, but never attempting, never facing something will never afford you the opportunity to fully process out what you fear.
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
~ Francis Chan
4. Make a Plan
People that have the utmost confidence of fulfilling their dreams are those that meticulously plan and prepare.
When you face fears, it’s easy to run. That’s usually more comfortable than staring them in the face.
However, often, that’s what we must do.
You don’t scream. You don’t shout. You think. You prepare. And you plan. If you want to face and overcome fear, this is what you have to do.
“The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.”
~ Steven Pressfield
About the Author
This is a guest post written by Todd. He’s the co-founder and content manager at Fearless Men, a men’s blog on Manliness that inspires men to grow strong, get fit, be wise, kick fear in the face and become a better man. Check out what else he’s written on Overcoming Fear.
Photo by: Nicholas Hammond
