Is Fear Controlling Your Life?

Everyone has fear. From the tiny toddler to the soldier on the battlefield, fear is something that we all have. We can be afraid of physical things like spiders, and snakes, or we can be afraid of the not-so-physical things like the fear of failure, rejection, or loneliness. No matter what it is, you can learn to overcome any fear. Once you learn to do this, any goal or achievement will be within your reach. In this article, I’m going to give you some tips, that you can use to overcome your fears.

Overcome Your Fears

1 – Recognize When Your Fear Controls Your Life

Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. We need to be afraid when the situation merits. In life or death situations, for example. Even in less dangerous situations like beginning a new position or having to give a brief to stakeholders. It is understandable to be afraid in these situations, for a time. But when fear starts to limit your ability to function, there is a problem.  You should try to recognize when your fears are keeping you from success and happiness. Here are some questions to ask yourself?

• Do you avoid facing your fear at all costs? Even if it hurts your career or family life?
• Is your fear a constant source of anxiety and depression?
• Is your fear keeping you from accomplishing your goals or following your dreams?

If you answered yes to these, then you must learn to overcome your fears. Otherwise, you’ll continue to feel stuck and miss opportunities that can create real happiness in your life.

2 – Get Specific and Challenge Your Fears

What specifically are you afraid of? What will happen if your worst fear comes to pass? What images are popping up in your mind? Will he leave you and hurt your heart if let your guard down and let him in? Will you be the laughing-stock of the company if you flub the stakeholders briefing? Once you imagine these scenarios, question the outcome. How likely will these things occur? Will you really be the laughing-stock? Will he really leave you if you get too close? By getting specific and questioning how likely these things will actually happen, you begin to see your fears from a different perspective.

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3 – Control Your Reaction To With Breathing Techniques

Breathing techniques are an effective tool to overcome your fears. When you are in a situation that elevates your heart rate, causes you to drip buckets of sweat, and your anxiety to go through the roof, controlling your breathing can calm you back down quickly. The Equal Breathing Technique is a great method to control your reaction to your fears. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, and breathe out through your nose for 4 seconds.

4 – Imagine Your Desired Outcome

Imagine if you had no fears? What is that person like? If you are afraid of commitment, imagine yourself in a successful, loving, and lasting relationship. If you are afraid of public speaking, imagine being applauded and everyone being inspired and motivated hearing you speak.

By imagining a scenario where you have overcome your fears, you begin to manifest the courage to become the person you imagine. How would your life be different if you had no fears?

5 – Face Your Fears Every Day

Once you face your fears often enough, they almost always disappear. Think of a scenario in the past where you were afraid of something and then over time it gradually went away. How about your first day on the job? You were probably afraid of “getting it right” or being able to handle the new responsibilities at first. Over time, that fear went away, right? We have faced countless situations like this in our lives. The fears you have now may be because you do not face them often enough. The “fear of the unknown” is a powerful thing. When you make an effort to face your fears every day, eventually they will fade away. So if you are afraid of social interactions, go start-up a conversation every day with someone in the office you don’t talk to much.

To overcome your fears you must recognize when your fears control your life, get specific and challenge your fears, use breathing techniques, imagine your desired outcome, and face your fears every day.

Overcoming your fears takes time, especially when they have been deep-rooted over the course of your life. Some fear is okay but when it starts to interfere with everyday life and your happiness, you have to take a stand. These tips, will help you get those fears out-of-the-way of your success and happiness.

How has fear affected your life? Let me know in the comments below.