How many times has fear kept you from taking a step towards something great?
I’ve learned that fear has a funny way of gripping my heart when I’m on the verge of something new. It’s like a cautious friend who’s only trying to protect me from the unknown. As I look back, I see how fear has interrupted various aspects of my life: it has made me say yes when I should’ve said no; it has made me stay when I should’ve left. Can you relate?
Maybe you’ve been there too, standing at the beginning of a new adventure, a fresh opportunity, uncharted territory, and out of nowhere, there it is—fear. That feeling of uncertainty, self-doubt, and anxiety can be paralyzing, preventing us from taking the leap into something that could have been designed and is waiting just for us.
Allow me to share what I have learned about fear.
- It’s like a termite, subtly eroding our foundation.
- Giving into fear once makes it easier to do again.
- It leads to overthinking and irrational scenarios.
- It keeps you from making decisions until the decision is no longer yours to make.
- It distorts your self-image and validates negative thoughts.
But what if we Flip the Flow on F.E.A.R. and use it as a catalyst for growth and transformation instead of a hindrance to progress and potential?
By changing the way I thought about fear, I released the hold that it had on me and how I responded to it when it showed up. Here’s how I began to think about it…
Face it: I confronted fear head-on. Instead of brushing it aside, I recognized that fear is a natural response to the unknown, signaling that what lies ahead is significant and worth my attention. Facing it empowered me to anticipate and overcome potential obstacles.
Explore it: I dove deeper into my fear, like I was starting a new adventure. I started asking myself, “Why am I afraid?” and “What’s the worst that could happen?” Exploring my fear revealed valuable lessons and opportunities for personal growth.
Acknowledge it: I became okay with being afraid and realized fear is a part of the human experience, not a sign of weakness. I learned to embrace it as a partner on my journey, a reminder that I was venturing beyond my comfort zone, giving space for growth and opportunity.
Rewrite it: I hold the pen to my story. I transformed fear from a roadblock into a stepping stone and used it as motivation to move forward, to learn, and to grow. I rewrote my narrative with courage, resilience, and the belief that I could overcome any obstacle.
I won’t claim to have mastered this; fear still surfaces in unexpected ways. Even getting this newsletter out required conquering new fears. But I am doing it because I believe that someone needs to hear this message right now, and that is a greater motivator than any of the things that fear caused me to contemplate.
Embrace fear as the spark that ignites your journey, not the chains that bind your potential.
Shauna B.
As you stand on the brink of new experiences, ventures, and conversations, will you let fear hold you back? Remember, it’s a companion, not an enemy. Face it, explore it, acknowledge it, and then rewrite it. Embrace the unknown with courage and curiosity, and you’ll discover that the uncharted path can lead to personal growth and a life of impact.
Ask yourself these four questions as you think about a step that you are hesitant to take:
- What new endeavor have you been contemplating but not acting upon?
- What specific fear is hindering your progress?
- How can you rewrite that fear into a catalyst for growth and action?
- What is your next step and by when will you complete it?
Commit to taking daily action, no matter how small, until you’ve rewritten your story. Share it with a friend, a family member, or even on social media. Every step forward is a page turned, and your story awaits its transformation.