Looking at FEAR Positively!

With layoffs happening all around us, there is a sense of despair prevailing in everyone due to the unpredictability. The predominant emotion in everyone is FEAR. Fear is a word that always brings in negative thoughts & reactions. Uncertainty, Judgement, Insecurity & Diffidence are some of the reasons why we are fearful to actually take our first step in the direction of fear to face it!?Many a time it’s the fear of lack of control that shapes it all to make us want to look for not taking that first step forward. It is always the fear of fear that stops you. Like everything FEAR too has a positive!

Let’s look at the positive aspect. Making Fear your friend is a wise way to work around this. What is amazing is it alerts us to dangers & attunes us to our environment too. It pushes us out of our comfort zone & brings out our creativity too. In “Make change work for you” Scott Steinberg pivots the word FEAR as an acronym positively and that changes the attitude towards fear so much.

Here is the FEAR problem-solving model he writes about:

?Focus - Become objective in understanding & looking at the challenge before you. Assess the strength & weaknesses of the situation to face it. “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days.” Zig Ziglar

Engage: After you have studied the challenge and created an action plan, put it in motion. Bring out the innovative side to use the tools on hand to make an impact. “If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” - Dale Carnegie

Assess: The results that engagement can lead to is where the assessment needs to come in Making better decisions going forward is important. Rethinking what does not work also is crucial. “Through practice, gently and gradually we can collect ourselves and learn how to be more fully with what we do.”??– Jack Kornfield

1. React: Adjusting the tactics according to what needs to be done. Working on minor tweaks & building new strategies if required plays a very important role."Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."-Marie Curie

So if the scene around you is uncertain, look at it now with this new acronym of FEAR! It will definitely change the scenarios to a more approachable one rather than a daunting task! It remains something you are SCARED of till you realize all it takes is a rearrangement of alphabets to change your perception to a divine experience. That is when it can become SACRED. Loved this concept & these were the words that rolled out when I decided to meet the uncertainty within.

As we look back on the days that were

There are fears that came with rules we adhere

Am I capable to handle what I have on hand,

Will I lose what I have been blessed with so grand

What will the world say if I am so weak?

How do I handle this? what is the tweak?

PAUSE!

?It’s ok to feel tired, it’s ok to be fearful,

Get specific on what it is & don’t be tearful

?It’s something no one has seen before,

Not even the superhero you so adore.

All you need to do is to go on a date All by yourself to meet up with your fear

?And don’t be too casual or late and don’t forget to carry that lonely tear!

Love yourself for all that you have Once in a while remember to open that valve

To let off the steam & laugh aloud

To find your best friend within, of whom YOU ARE SO PROUD.

Enjoy your own company because then You are not distracted by a Crowd!

Have you tried going on a date with your fear? It’s a beautiful conversation that will emerge when you change your perspective.

Would love to know if you have experienced this meeting.

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SELFI is a newsletter where I share my reflections on life. Moments where some simple elements stayed on to create a SELFI moment! Moments that force the?#voiceinme ?to express. Do subscribe if you like what you read & do share it with anyone you think will benefit! I also host an award-winning weekly human library audio podcast called "U n' I with Rashmi Shetty" which can be heard on all popular platforms. Uploads are on Fridays.

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