Everyone experiences fear. Believe it or not, fear can be a positive asset in your life. Fear is a natural reaction. In nature, it gives our bodies a chance to respond to a danger by either staying to fight or fleeing the scene. However, fear can sometimes overwhelm us and keep us from success. Overcoming fear is the key to living a positive, successful life.
Start Small
Fear can be overwhelming, so when you are working on overcoming fear and turning it into an asset, start small. Face the situation that brings fear, but do so slowly. For example, if you are afraid of speaking in public, start with making a toast over a family dinner, not giving a speech at a corporate function. Soon you will discover that the thing you fear is not as bad as you felt, and you will be able to face it confidently.
Understand the Reason for Your Fear
Fear is not a negative emotion. It actually has a very important role to play. Sometimes, fear is present in order to warn us. In this situation, it is an asset by helping you to avoid danger. Before you confront a fear, take the time to analyze it and see if the action could actually harm you. In this situation, fear is an asset because it keeps you safe in a potentially dangerous situation.
Fear also increases our sensory awareness. If we are going to respond in flight or by fighting, this is absolutely essential. In a non-dangerous situation, you can use that heightened awareness to give you power and confidence to approach the situation you are afraid of as you are overcoming fears.
Use Fear as a Motivator
Fear is a motivator, and if you can learn to harness that, it will be one of your greatest assets. Whether you are fearing failure, rejection or the loss of something you value, you will work hard to avoid that situation. You will dig a little deeper and find ways to approach the situation you have never tried. Sometimes this extra effort is all it takes to succeed when you have previously failed. The key is to keep persevering when you are afraid, rather than giving up. This gives you the chance to benefit from overcoming fear and turning it into a great motivator.
Use Fear to Develop Courage
Sometimes we view courageous people and think that they never feel fear. This is untrue, because fear is the first step in acting courageously. What makes a courageous person different than someone who is overcome with fear is the individual’s response to fear. Instead of running, the courageous person directly confronts the fear.
Change Your Thinking
Instead of dwelling on your fear, change the way you think. Start thinking positively about the situation, use your heightened senses (a result of your fear) to make you more successful and confront the situation head on. Soon you will realize you have overcome fear and succeeded at something you once thought was impossible.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
what a topic! great assessment of this loaded emotion. my favorite way to think of fear is how abraham-hicks talks about it…that it's the furthest i can be from a connection to my inner being.
there was a time in my life i was not making decisions about a relationship b/c i was afraid. i was allowing that to keep me stuck. when i relooked at what fear really was, and since i want to be connected to my inner being, i was able to let it go. it was almost as if i saw the wizard behind the curtain.
keep them coming scott! i love learning from you and your wisdom.
Thanks Sue, you are a jewel!
Hi Scott,
just read your post. Great inspiration! You make a point that fear is natural we all experience it from time to time. I really appreachiate you bringing it out that way….. Feel it , get aware of it and use it to your benefit…. yes Fear can be so much more than a plain stopper of your action… It can motivate, incourage and really help you get you going into ACTION:)
Thanks for sharing… Adriane
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