4 changes in my outlook that help me overcome fear

Some of my biggest fears as a writer are lack of inspiration, loss of originality, and no audience. These are just my professional fears; I have a bunch of personal fears that I am not going to reveal right now.?

I do believe fear, in a good way, powers us to do better. Our evolution and the following revolutions throughout history are testaments to this. However, fear can also be crippling in many forms, harming you and holding you back. This is the fear we ought to beat.

Over the years, through borrowing from books, talking to people, and my own experiences, I have managed to extrapolate some key learnings about how to beat crippling fears and get out of my own way.?

In the coming words, I will try to summarize these lessons and hope they help you achieve the desires of your heart and mind.

Life can be short but not inconsequential

You have no control over time, and you have no idea how long you will live. Accounting for time left and using it as an excuse to not follow through with your plans is a stupid endeavor. Instead, what you should fear is living an inconsequential life.

You owe it to yourself to ensure that what you do is everything you would want to do and is impactful.?

And the easiest way to be impactful is to be of service to others.?

So, solve a problem for others, build something that makes life easy, create something that others wish they could have, and write something that others feel but can't express.?

This will ensure that even if life is short, it sure isn’t inconsequential. You will be remembered. And if you are lucky enough, you will be paid for it as well.

Our worst fears lie in anticipation

My major roadblock to publishing my written work has been my own fears regarding how my work will be perceived. What if my opinions rub someone the wrong way? What if people don’t like what I write?

Anticipating these answers handicapped me from not only publishing but also writing on a daily basis.

But as I started putting my work online, I have received more positive support, reviews, and admiration, with a hint of severe but actionable critique. I realized I was being hard on not only my skills but also on my readers without giving either of them a chance to come through first.

I have seen this as a constant hurdle for many people who want to do something they love. They chalk out a plan, have the necessary things in place, and then they get caught up in all the far-from-reality fears and don’t follow through.

The antidote to this is usually to follow your thoughts with quick action, never giving fear a chance to take root.

Think for a year, act in a day

99% of your efforts are wasted, and no effort ever guarantees results. You may say this is harsh, but this is true. Does it mean you don't put in any effort if the ROI is so low?

No, it means you take your time deciding where to dedicate your efforts. Think it through; exhaust every angle and option before deciding where to put effort until you are absolutely sure.?

Once you are sure, take action immediately. Don't wait! Don't hesitate! Don't let fear get the best of you.

Make hard choices today to have an easy life tomorrow?

Your fear of choosing an undefined path to your freedom because it's hard and uncomfortable is keeping you from being happy.

It's uncomfortable, and you may have to give up certain things today, but it assures a much better tomorrow for the simple reason that you got what you wanted.?

Hard work and sacrificing choices compound over time. What you do today will affect the coming years of your life, not just tomorrow. Make hard choices now. Take risks now. Do the grunt work now.

However, sometimes when you get what you want, you realize how limited your ambition is. That is why you should plan for a year and act in a day.?

These changes in my outlook have helped me look at life in a different way and conquer arbitrary fears. I hope they do the same to you.?

Tell me what else you have learned that has helped you overcome your fears.