Stop Being Afraid of Fear
I have always appreciated fear.
Fear does many things: It motivates, it keeps things in check, it stops you from doing stupid things, and it can show that you care.
Yet, most people see fear (especially when seen in others) as weakness. This is not accurate; fear is a natural response for many sane and reasonable people. Lack of fear is usually the first sign that someone is ‘off’.
Fear warns us: This is fear’s number one purpose. Fear is your brain saying “Wait a minute! Something is NOT right!!” Now this fear may be justified. “Is that rabid monkey heading my way?” Or it may not be justified “Is that painting staring at me?” To figure out if the fear is justified, honestly ask yourself “Why am I afraid?” “What is the worst that could happen?” “What are the odds that it will actually happen?” If the odds are low and outcome is insignificant, let go of the fear.
Fear motivates: It pushes our need to do more, be more, and give more. Why do you think people jump out of planes, bungee jump, or eat at Taco Bell? That sense of accomplishment can be very fulfilling. It creates self-esteem in a healthy way, because you earned it by overcoming your fear. This is contrary to the arrogant jerks that have WAY too much self-esteem yet have done nothing to justify it.
Fear is a sign of caring: You’re about to give a presentation, you’re slightly sweating, a case of cotton-mouth is starting and your heartbeat picks up the pace. That fear you are feeling is perfectly NORMAL! If you don’t feel even a tiny hint of any of the things I just listed, you probably are no longer invested in the outcome. It has become either old hat and you are bored or you don’t care how it goes down. Knowing that little flicker of fear exists is just your body and mind letting you know that you still care. Embrace it. Look forward to it. Use it to do a great job.
Fear can stop us cold, like a deer hearing a snapping twig. If you don’t keep moving…well, if you didn’t learn from what happened to Bambi’s mother….SPOILER ALERT: You’ll get taken out.
Moving is the key. It can be forward (which is the motivational mantra) but it could be a side-step, it could be a step back to regroup. But keep moving. . Fear is part of life that we can either be controlled by or take control of, it’s 100% up to you.
Just don’t fear fear.
Craig Price has helped thousands of people learn to find the value in their own negative thoughts and emotions. His signature keynote “Getting a Grip on Negativity” and the companion book “Half a Glass: The Realist’s Guide” gets audiences to understand how to use negativity as a tool for change and productivity.
If you are interested in having Craig present at your next conference, association meeting or corporate event please call 877-572-7890 or email [email protected] today to ask about pricing and availability
RCC graduate
9 年Maybe some fear is actually healthy. Fear is "I am not sure of my current situation or circumstances, so, I am going to pay really close attention, right now, and not proceed until I'm sure it's safe." Learning to ascertain whether or not it's safe is a matter of training your eyes, ears, and intellect, and learning to understand and recognize various dangers. In the modern world, some of those dangers smile broadly and have firm handshakes, and are past masters at taking other people for every penny they're worth, and then some, through the miracle of credit. Something to keep in mind during the old fight-or-flight.
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9 年This post is just one big mess full of contradictory arguments. "Fear is good" because it motivates. - "Fear is bad" because it stop us. I started laughing when I read this sentence "Lack of fear is usually the first sign that someone is ‘off’. " Then laughed louder when I read about fearing the painting that is staring at you - so this doesn't mean that "someone is 'off'" and it's OK because someone feels fear ? Warning from fear is worth little and can truly stop us from doing things that might be worth doing. Much better when the warming comes from common sense - then you are not blinded by fear and can make reasonable decisions. And you actually wrote it there too: "If the odds are low and outcome is insignificant" - this is reasoning and has nothing to do with fear. Motivation by fear is worth nothing. "It pushes our need to do more, be more, and give more." - no, it doesn't and this sentence is just utter non-sense. In the next sentence you clearly stated that it's "the sense of accomplishment" that is fulfilling, i.e. motivating - and I do agree with it. "Fear is the sign of caring"? This is just BS! I mean everything in that paragraph is rubbish. Fear is your worst enemy - I'd say that if fear anything in life, fear fear! What do we need fear for? Absolutely no gain. I once used a motto 'No fear here' - someone who saw it said: "If you are not afraid, if you don't fear them, they can't do anything to you, they can't hurt you, they can't beat you" - and it worked exactly this way. I do say/write that I'm fearless - and I am, because I know that fear will get me nowhere and I won't achieve anything significant if I "fear". But I do know the difference between bravery and bravado - I will not go into a cage with hungry lions. Not because I am afraid of them, but because it would be a rather stupid thing to do (that's what all my senses say - I didn't ask fear for an opinion).
Art Therapist (M.S, ATR-BC)/ Grief Counselor (FT)/ Visual Artist
9 年What would it mean to succeed? There is the fear of success, just as there is the fear of failure. Resilience in the face of fear is an extraordinary entry into self actualization.
Sócio proprietário na Dominar! Treinamentos Inteligentes
9 年Perfect.
Director: Escalation & Enablement
9 年Love it!