Name Your Fear to Tame it

Acknowledge and conquer these four fatal fears to move past limiting beliefs, leadership myths, and procrastination to allow for bold action toward success. These fears are fatal because they lead to intellectual, emotional, and spiritual death if not conquered.

What are they and how can we avoid them?

This list was first made by Larry Wilson a leadership coach and it was popularized by the psychologist Maxie Maultsby.

Wilson believed that it is OK to want to avoid your fears, but to NEED to avoid them is fatal. Maultsby argued that these fears are learned, not innate, and can be unlearned (he believed in a growth mindset.)

This unlearning starts by acknowledging the fear and giving it a name. According to Wilson and Maultsby, there are four fatal fears. Being able to name the fear is the first step to taming it. Here's their list:

1. Fear of failure. The need to succeed. It can be paralyzing and prevent us from taking risks or trying new things.

It results in playing not to lose rather than taking calculated chances.

2. Fear of being wrong. The need to be correct. It can lead us to avoid challenging ourselves intellectually, speaking up in meetings, or admitting when we are wrong or made a mistake.

It results in playing small instead of playing big.

3. Fear of rejection. The need to be liked and included. It can make us afraid to put ourselves out there or challenge anyone.

It results in playing to please rather than working to best serve others.

4. The fear of emotional discomfort. It can lead us to avoid situations that might generate criticism, or make us feel uneasy, or to ask for help.

It results in playing it safe instead of learning from vulnerability.

Name your fear to tame the fear. Shift to productive assumptions, emotions, and mindsets. With a joyful, growth mindset, be ready to accept that you may not get the outcomes you want, but you do NOT NEED those outcomes. You might even learn from facing the fear and be better from the experience. Only not trying creates certain failure.

The 5 steps to overcome a fixed mindset also work to overcome fears. Read about the steps at the end of A Growth Mindset Wins.

When have you not taken bold action due to one of these fears? What was the fear named? In the future, how will you move past procrastination and inaction when facing a fear?

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May you find Passion, Joy, and Freedom in all your pursuits.