Fear can be a great motivator.
Cil Burke BSN
My fingers hesitate over the dial of my iPhone. Sweat is dripping down my furrowed brow. I am breathless with anxiety.
Here I am, with a one of a kind, patent protected breakthrough product. A life rejuvenating product that truly everyone in the world, especially those interested in wellness, those with frustrating chronic health problems, and athletes wanting to safely improve their performance and stamina need to know about (and I’m being conservative here).
In my 30 years providing health care, it is truly a game changer. I’m convinced it is doing people a disservice if they don’t know about it.
So why is it so hard to punch in 10 numbers and make the call? A call that could improve someone’s life?
What is so paralyzing about the fear of “why should they listen to me?”
Fear is the quicksand that keeps us mired in insecurity and inaction. I recently read an insightful article that has helped me address this insecurity and thought it may help you in whatever fear is keeping you from success.
Maybe it’s negotiating for a raise, maybe it’s having that sex talk with your 13 year old, maybe it’s telling your spouse about the new toy you put on your credit card last week…. Whatever “that thing” is that makes you break out in a sweat, you know what it is!
Energy sapping irrational fears.
The article in Entrepreneur magazine gave tips on how to break through fear and overcome self doubts created by that fear. The author related that during a presentation to Google at their New York offices (I’m thinking “how scary that would be?”), a participant asked how he had become so confident and self assured. The author was struck by the fact that no one knew what he was feeling inside and caused him to examine how to exude confidence in spite of insecurities and fears.
Here’s what author Grant Cordone suggested:
- You’re normal. Everyone experiences fears and insecurities, especially when doing something new, even if you’re excited about it. Embrace your fear.
My Take: There are so many things I would not have done or experienced if I had let my fears win. This list is so long and has so many ordinary things on it, it’s embarrassing.
- Keep your calendar full.
My Take: Without realizing it, this is what I do to convince myself to do some of the things I am most fearful of doing. I begin with a list and force myself to complete the list before the day is out. It requires getting started and staying with a task, though my insides are jelly, until it is done. Whew!
- Do what you are scared to do and watch your confidence grow. This isn’t about physical risks, but about not letting fears paralyze you. Take that most dreaded of steps and have the ego boost of actually doing it.
My Take: For me, win or lose, I get a mental fist bump, a high, from over coming mind-numbing inaction. I love that feeling and want more of it.
- Success is achieved outside your comfort zone. You have the easy stuff down; it’s that fire breathing fear dragon that needs slaying.
My Take: I’m the only one who can do it. It’s all on me. Make a list and scratch ‘em off, one at the time. So do it.
- Become an action machine. Whatever it is, out do everyone else with your sheer domination of activity.
My Take: This ties all the other suggestions together. Fear leads to inactivity and I always want to sit on the sidelines-but I don’t do it. Get out there, get in the game and be a powerhouse. That’s what successful people do. I want to be one of them-I am one of them.
As I push forward with our newest venture, I will be rereading this list and overcoming fears because I want to be successful.
There are too many people out there in pain or who need what I have. I just have to find them. One 10 digit number at the time.
Reader Question:
How about you? Do you have some unfounded fears that are holding you back? Do you want to join me in slaying those fears? Think whips might do the trick?
Photo Credit: whatleydude
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Tags: be confident, do the things that you fear, overcoming fear, tips on being confident, what are your fears
I have always believed that fear is what holds us back and we all have loads of it – we fear different things though. I fear speed, my trainer fears study – so we help each other out. Overcoming my fear of success (yep, you heard right – this is a bit one for me) last year was my BIG project. I used the ‘eat that from’ method. I did the most scary things first thing so nothing could scare me after that. Works for me!
Maria, Right on target. Looking back at some scary thing conquered is such a motivator. I find it helpful to have a ‘partner in crime’ for the really tough stuff, too. And a goal. Thanks for the comment.
I love it! One of my favorite quotes: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” I remind myself of this all the time…that it’s okay, but it can’t knock me down.
Well, Joe, my seat is slick from the knock down-but hey, I agree, that’s ok.
I think success is achieved everywhere! I very rarely are afraid to do something, but I am nervous. Being nervous is different. I want to do it well so I am nervous or I never did it before and I am nervous I may fail or look stupid. Whether it is fear or being nervous, you have to plunge ahead and try.
K, you got it. Plunge ahead or lose out. I make myself plunge on in. Whew! It can be tough, though. I prefer to stay in my comfort zone but I why not go ahead and grow.
If you have been through the patent process you have already conquered most of your fears! I’m so curious, what is it?
I’ll send you an email. You’re right, the patent process is important and lengthy and it seems endless. But necessary.