We all have fears, however, it’s important to address them if they keep you from taking action that will help you meet your goals.
According to Louise Delagran, MA, MEd, “Fear can interrupt processes in our brains that allow us to regulate emotions, read non-verbal cues and other information presented to us, reflect before acting, and act ethically.”
The publication goes on to say “This impacts our thinking and decision-making in negative ways, leaving us susceptible to intense emotions and impulsive reactions.”
The impact of these findings can’t be overstated, as being unable to make rational decisions can negatively hinder your ability to take action toward the goals most important to you.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat this.
Here are 5 ways to handle fears that keep you from taking action:
1. Address It
When we’re feeling scared, we also tend to isolate those feelings.
It’s that whole “If I say my fears out loud, they’ll come true” idea we have.
By stuffing them down, however, you’re only reinforcing them.
So to prevent this, try addressing your fears and imagining the worst possible outcome.
For example, if your goal is to open your own business.
Your fear might be that you’ll never receive the funding to do so or find a space within your price range.
These are normal fears, so take the time to address them and say them out loud.
Once you do, you’ll realize that they’re just fears…not the actual truth.
And if they are possible, you can identify steps to avoid them.
2. Turn Those Fears Into Action
Fear will constantly tell you no.
What if every time that little voice popped up, you transformed that no into a yes?
Sometimes, the best way to handle fears that keep you from taking action is to pause, take a minute, and say yes.
“Maybe I’ll fail, but maybe I won’t,” or change, “No, I can’t do this” to “I know I can.”
These little mental shifts play a huge role in adapting your fears and using them as a way to take charge.
Case and point: maybe you want to pursue a different career and in doing so, are considering enrolling back in school.
Fear will tell you that you can’t, but a simple mind shift can tell you otherwise, therefore putting you on a direct pathway to success.
3. Adopt a “Do it Anyway’ Mindset
This ties into the entry above, but if you’re struggling with the above advice, then try to adopt a “Do it Anyway” mindset.
With this, you can address your fears.
Accept that they’re valid
and take action anyway.
This approach can help you validate your fears, but not let them stop you from acting.
Of course, like any action, this isn’t always easy, but with time, it will become second nature.
It may even become a thrill, as pushing outside your comfort zone can lead to feelings of pride.
4. Take a Break
This will seem like the total opposite of the one mentioned above.
It’s okay to take a break and remove yourself from a really stressful situation that you feel too scared to tackle right now.
Sometimes, it’s all about perspective and you’ll never get that if you’re constantly pushing yourself into the deep end.
If there are situations that are truly too tough for you to tackle – i.e. making cold calls or publishing the first article to your blog, then stop, take a break, and collect yourself.
There’s nothing wrong with removing yourself from the situation so you can work through your fears by way of mantra or practice.
Remember, fear is a tough thing to overcome.
So if you need a break or have to break that goal into two, three, or four more steps until you feel comfortable, then do it.
There is no rule book as long as you’re doing what works best for you.
5. Practice Gratitude
We often think that gratitude just pertains to things we’re grateful for like our home, our car, our dog
- and while that’s true –
you can also be grateful for your ability to try and move past your fears.
Gratitude can be applied to anything in your life, including your actions.
So don’t be afraid to start your morning off by writing down something you’re grateful for,
such as having the desire to work through your fears or acknowledging your persistence and belief in yourself.
Never underestimate the power of gratitude.
It can work wonders for handling your fears, including your approach to them.
These are just five helpful tips for handling the fears that hold you back.
Practice them today and start seeing a difference tomorrow!
