What is Your Biggest Fear?
Every step counts, whether you are sprinting toward your dreams or taking slow measured steps, you are not alone.
Are you in need of a pep talk? Are you searching for ways to overcome your fears?
You are Not Alone
I am a voracious reader of books that focus on successful people and reaching your dreams; each book stresses that everyone, no matter how successful or inexperienced you are, everyone still feels some level of fear every step of their journey. It is to be expected, anticipated and planned for. Do not think that just because you are a certain age, have a particular level of education, etc, that fear will somehow not be a part of your life.
Fear shows up for a reason, it has a particular, important function. It keeps you on your toes and increases your levels of awareness so that you do not miss out on anything. It sharpens your focus so that you take in as much information regarding a new situation as possible. If you look at fear in a new light, you will see that it appears naturally for your protection and success!
Challenge comes into play when a person has dealt with “out of the norm” situations that have increased the typical fear response in any given situation. For example, if you have been robbed, you may suddenly feel more jumpy around unfamiliar noises or events that remind you of the event. This may take some time to get through to be able to experience “normalcy” in your life again. If you are currently struggling with such fears, you can overcome them stronger and wiser than ever before.
How Does One Go About Doing This?
The best way to alleviate feeling immobilized by fear is to think about fear in new ways. For example, when you go to the grocery store, you know that every time you go, you will not have the same experience twice. You may hit more traffic lights along the way, you might run into a friendlier cashier, and you might come face to face with incredible sales. But then again, you might accidentally lock your keys in your car, forget your credit card, and run a red light. You get the picture. It is the same activity, but there can always be a million different outcomes.
This is the Same Way Life Unfolds
And, because this will always be true, in order to overcome your fears it’s important to begin with the basics of life; the things you do well already and ask yourself, for example, how do you manage to function effectively in day-to-day tasks such as shopping? You do so by acquainting yourself with the streets so that you don’t have to think twice about where you are going. You write a grocery list so that shopping is completed with greater ease. You double check that you have put your keys in your purse or in your pocket before you lock and close your door, and so forth.
It might have taken a little bit of time to figure out the best route to the grocery store, where all the items and aisles were, etc., but eventually you figured it all out allowing you to have a smooth, satisfying shopping experience. With all these things figured out, your mind was now freed of its burden and could think freely about other things.
Now, apply these simple concepts to beginning any new endeavor in your life. There will be a transition period where everything is entirely new and you will need to keep your attention focused so that you don’t get lost and are able to notice things that will help you complete your goal as seamlessly as possible.
Once you have your routine down, take into account that there will be days that you might forget something, not be at your highest energy levels, etc; choose to see these moments as great learning lessons. They are a part of your life because they are signs alerting you to invaluable things you still need to learn. Look at these previously thought “setbacks” as “gifts” and “free” lessons that will only function to improve your life. Remember getting something for nothing and instant gratification feels great in the moment, but does very little for long term life satisfaction.
“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Every step counts, whether you are sprinting toward your dreams or taking slow measured steps, as long as you are consistently moving forward, you will be sure to reach and exceed every single one you set!
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User Comments
Mc caluya
On September 17, 2008 at 7:47 am
nice… great!!..
I love your article..
keep it up
MC
deadheaddave
On September 17, 2008 at 8:13 am
Great article,
I’m afraid of Clowns, I hate them. the only people that hide thier face in society are terrorists and clowns! (well perhaps my avator too).
Dave
Bozsi Rose
On September 17, 2008 at 8:22 am
My favorite photo? Chuck Norris.
claris
On September 17, 2008 at 8:27 am
nice article, very interesting
maryspaul
On September 17, 2008 at 9:39 am
A very nice one again… with so beautiful pictures that add pleasure in the act of reading… Wonderful work Liane!
Take care and God Bless…
maryspaul
keya
On September 17, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’m really afraid of being alone and disappointing the ones I love to the point where they will realize that i’m too pathetic and worthless to be in their life.
LP Jardine
On September 17, 2008 at 11:05 am
Excellent article. You make several good points such as using
things you do normally during the day to overcome your fears
because eventually you will start to come to terms with your fears.
Will Gray
On September 17, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Great article. I gained a few insights I had not thought of before. Keep up the good work.
Lauren Axelrod
On September 17, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I to fear being a failure or not being the smartest student in the class. It’s a constant struggle for me when I have to compete with myself on everything I do. I have to fight the demons along the way.
Great piece
Kim Buck
On September 17, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Chuck Norris? That is funny….
Love the article and thanks for sharing with the world!
nobert soloria bermosa
On September 17, 2008 at 5:08 pm
a very helpful article,thanks for the beautiful advice Laine,we all have our own fear, we only have to learn how to overcome them in order to succeed,so nice
william rodriguez II
On September 17, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Very inspiring article,Liane.
Lostash
On September 17, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Interesting perspectives here.
Anne Lyken-Garner
On September 18, 2008 at 5:32 am
I like your thoughts in this article. It was so refreshing when I finally learned to say, ‘I don’t know’ without sweating about it.
I don’t know, is liberating. You no longer have to feel that you’re not bright enough. Not knowing is no longer a set back, it’s now become a reason to learn.
gabbic1219
On September 18, 2008 at 3:56 pm
strange that i stumble upon this…i love it for i have just wrote a new poem called the demon within,i fear ANIEXTY..i am very bright yet i have a cripping horrible feeling of aniexty! your article is very enlighting,thank you for we all have fears you couldnt have said it better.
Ruby Hawk
On September 18, 2008 at 7:01 pm
None of us knows everything. Everybody has their own goals and fears. We learn from our own mistakes. It’s what life is all about. A well written article, educational and interesting. Best wishes, Ruby
valli
On September 18, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Well written, Liane, particularly I like these words.
“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
ebazaar
On September 19, 2008 at 7:19 am
I never see my fears as fears..at least, I don’t want to because i want to be brave all the time ahaha ^_^ I’ll just push myself to brave, so there’ll be no fear. Life’s life as it is, and fate is fate. Personally, i think fears can be a big hindrance.
Great article. Had a good read.
Ira Hayes
On September 21, 2008 at 6:56 am
Fear has but one purpose to teach us to take courage willfully and conquer it. My greatest fear is that I should forget this and fall victim to the lies that fear tells us. We do not face a single battle that we can not win – though we may not win the way we would like or expect.
eddiego65
On September 22, 2008 at 7:53 am
Very insightful and inspiring piece. Thanks.
CHAN LEE PENG
On September 22, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Love this article. Insightful, inspiring….thanks and take care!
Lindalulu
On September 24, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Loved it, inspired me in so many ways.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
On September 26, 2008 at 12:14 am
Very insightful… Normal fear is healthy as it pushes us to act accordingly. But when it’s excessive and irrational, it’s already a phobia – something that should be dealt with as it can be very distressing and incapacitating.
goodselfme
On September 26, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Wonderful article for consideration to deal with fears. Well written and researched with care. Thank you.
Grant
On October 5, 2008 at 5:50 pm
A Lot of good stuff there Liane.
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