Fear doesn’t help you, it hinders you. Fear doesn’t get you through an open door; it keeps you in the hallway. Fear never helps you put your best foot forward; it just keeps both of your feet in cement. You can live without fear.
Fear is your enemy – no other way to describe it. I’m not talking about that natural life preserving action along with a major boost of adrenalin that happens if a wild animal is coming at you. I’m talking about the fears people live with day in and day out.
Fear is your enemy. Someone once described fear as, “Sand in the machinery of life.” Fear doesn’t help you, it hinders you. Fear doesn’t get you through an open door; it keeps you in the hallway. Fear never helps you put your best foot forward; it just keeps both of your feet in cement.
The psychology of today is, “Learn to live with your fears”, “Embrace your fears”, “It’s normal to have fears – everybody does.”
It’s true; lots of people do have fears. And there are people who are trying to learn how to live with their fears, and embrace them.
There are many facets and aspects of fear. One of the big ones is having fear of what others think of you. People do things, say things, and even buy things because of the fear that they have of what others think.
Many times people join clubs or organizations because they are afraid that if they don’t, others might think badly of them.
People say things and talk a certain way because they are afraid that they might not say the right thing in front of the right people.
People purchase items because of fear not measuring up to those around them. And on and on it goes.
You don’t have to live with fear. Here are 3 simple keys to getting rid of fear.
1. Face Your Fear Head-On
The first key to overcoming fear is to confront it directly. Avoiding or ignoring fear only gives it more power over you. Instead, acknowledge what you’re afraid of and take small, manageable steps to face it. This might mean gradually exposing yourself to the source of your fear in a controlled way, or it could involve educating yourself about what you’re afraid of to demystify it.
For example, if you have a fear of public speaking, start by speaking in front of a small, supportive group of friends or colleagues. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the size of your audience. Each step forward, no matter how small, builds confidence and reduces the fear’s hold on you.
2. Reframe Your Perspective
The second key to conquering fear is to change how you perceive it. Often, our fears are rooted in our thoughts and beliefs about a situation rather than the reality of it. Reframing involves shifting your mindset to see fear as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat.
When you reframe your perspective, you can transform fear into a motivator. For instance, instead of viewing failure as something to be feared, see it as a learning experience. Every setback is an opportunity to gain valuable insights and develop resilience. By embracing a growth mindset, you can turn your fears into stepping stones toward personal development and success.
3. Make Decision for Yourself
Third, make decisions based on what is best for you, not how it may or may not appear to others. You’ll never, ever be able to please everyone, so stop trying to. You’ll never, ever be right in everybody’s eyes, so stop trying to.
When you make a decision, ask yourself, “Why am I making this decision? Is it based on fear?” Make decisions based on what is right and best for your life, regardless of what others think.
You can live without fear.