Overcoming fear

One of the primary reasons that people fail to reach their full potential, is fear. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of the unknown – just plain old fashioned fear.  If fear is causing you to miss out on opportunities, this post has some ideas that you might find useful.

I wrote an article once, about a call I received from a BBC radio presenter, who wanted some urgent assistance from me. During the call, she explained that she had just accepted an outstanding career opportunity – to present her very own afternoon program, 5 days a week.  This was great news and well deserved too, as a nicer, more professional person you could not wish to meet.

Her problem was fear

This professional broadcaster, who speaks to masses of people every week as part of a breakfast show team, was in her own words; “absolutely terrified” at the prospect of moving to a new program, where she was to present the show by herself. I suggested we meet and get this problem sorted out.

After a chat with me over some BBC coffee, she was able to transfer that fear into excitement and was really looking forward to this new chapter in her career.

We can’t let fear rule our lives

Even though the broadcaster was “absolutely terrified” about taking this challenging career opportunity, she knew it was the right thing to do, so she took it.  She knew that the fear could be overcome, but that refusing this opportunity might stall her career for years.  Sadly, many people in that kind of position, allow fear to stop them taking the opportunities that come their way.

In a post here last week, 2 successful business owners commented that when they started out in business for the first time, it was frightening; but they knew it was the right thing (for them) to do.  They both left great jobs with high salaries, to step into the unknown.  They took the hard decision, because they believed it was the right thing to do.

Ironically, people who allow fear to govern their choices, end up with a far, far harder life, than those who take the tougher decisions.

Overcoming fear

For me, the secret to overcoming fear came when I discovered that EVERYONE experienced fear – not just me!  As one of my former boxing trainers told me:

A hero and a coward both feel scared when they are confronted with a fearful situation. What makes them a coward or a hero is simply how they react to what they fear.  It’s not the situation, but the response that determines what you do and what your outcome is.

If a fear is legitimate, like the fear of climbing into a lions den, that fear is working for you.  However, if there’s something you fear that is stopping you from achieving the happiness or success you deserve, it’s a good idea to ask yourself, whether that fear is working for you or against you.