We all have ideas and things we want to do, but for some reason we don’t do them. Why? The problem with ideas is that they are as only as good as the actions that follow them. If you want to travel the world but you never do, then you’re idea is left unrealized. If you want to start a company but never do, then again, your idea is left unrealized. I think a lot of what stops us from doing the things we want to do is fear. What if my company fails and I go broke? Will I have fun if I go by myself on a trip around the world, what if I get lonely, what will I do?
Fear is important because it keeps our lives in check, fear makes us think and it makes us look at the options and possibilities that we are presented with. Yes it’s important to overcome your fears but usually new ones will emerge. A fear can save your life or keep you from realizing a dream. The trick to dealing with fear is not to get rid of it but to control it. Remember, fear is not a physical thing, it’s a construct of the human mind and thus it is your mind that is capable of controling it.
It’s funny how powerful fear is. Think about what fear can do:
- Fear can keep you from trying a new food
- Fear can keep you from exploring the world
- Fear can keep you from meeting the love of your life
- Fear can keep you from getting your dream job
- Fear can keep you from trying a new sport
Perhaps one of the most dynamic and diverse things that humans feel is fear. Fear touches everyone and keep people from achieving goals or tasks that range from the mundane to the extraordinary. Some people fear public speaking more than death, others fear going in the ocean for fear of getting attacked by a shark.
I’ve been (and am) scared of several things in life, but one of the ways that I feel I have been able to overcome or control my fears is to ask myself “what’s the worst that could happen?” Tim Ferris recently did a presentation in which he shares his view on fear and he asks himself the same question.
Really take a moment and examine your fears. Think of the little and big things that you are afraid of and ask yourself what’s the worst that could happen? I think you will find that in most situations if things go downhill you will really not be that much worse off.
What are you afraid of? How do you deal with fear?
Thanks for reading!
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