Feel the fear and do it anyway.

I first saw the above words on the cover of a book many years ago, they made me buy that book.

I was embarking on a change, moving from my comfort zone of the music industry into the depths of the unknown in advertising. I was scared, but I did my utmost to hide that.

I needed to learn to harness the fear otherwise it would destroy me, I was already dealing with crippling stage fright issues and I didn't need any more obstacles in my way, so one day I was walking aimlessly through a mall and as a book lover I often find solace just browsing the shelves in that quiet environment.

After looking at my normal selections - music, art, photography, and the like I took a detour down the business and self-improvement aisles. And there it was, a book cover that seemed to be talking to me, it somehow knew that I was cowering in the quiet confines of this store in hope nobody would see just how terrified I was about this new direction I had decided to take.

Anyway, I took a quick glance at the contents and the back cover and decided it couldn't hurt to read it. Not only did it not hurt it helped a lot. Was it a cure all? No, but it did help me see many of the things that were causing my self-doubt and fear.

And no, I am not being paid for this endorsement, nor do I know the author personally. It's just that this book did help me push through the barrier I was feeling. You can never have too much information.

Here are The Five Truths About Fear by the author herself - Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

FEAR TRUTH #1

The fear will never go away as long as you continue to grow!

Every time you take a step into the unknown, you experience fear. There is no point in saying, "When I am no longer afraid, then I will do it." You'll be waiting for a long time. The fear is part of the package.

FEAR TRUTH #2

The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and…do it!

When you do it often enough, you will no longer be afraid in that particular situation. You will have faced the unknown and you will have handled it. Then new challenges await you, which certainly add to the excitement in living.

FEAR TRUTH #3

The only way to feel better about yourself is to go out and…do it!

With each little step you take into unknown territory, a pattern of strength develops. You begin feeling stronger and stronger and stronger.

FEAR TRUTH #4

Not only are you afraid when facing the unknown, so is everyone else!

This should be a relief. You are not the only one out there feeling fear. Everyone feels fear when taking a step into the unknown. Yes, all those people who have succeeded in doing what they have wanted to do in life have felt the fear - and did it anyway. So can you!

FEAR TRUTH #5

Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the bigger underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness!

This is the one truth that some people have difficulty understanding. When you push through the fear, you will feel such a sense of relief as your feeling of helplessness subsides. You will wonder why you did not take action sooner. You will become more and more aware that you can truly handle anything that life hands you.

So if you are dealing with the fear of change or new challenges I strongly suggest you start with this book. Hopefully you will find it as helpful as I did all those years ago.

Rodd Chant

I'm a Creative Director / Writer / Strategist / Thinker and a bit more. I work with clients/brands directly and with agencies and production companies. I also teach creative thinking and idea generation to groups and individuals. You can read more of my LinkedIn musings here. You can also find me on Twitter,  Instagram and on Facebook. Or drop me an email – [email protected]

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