Using Fear as a Guidepost for Action

Fear is a healthy emotion.

Fear is how our minds and our bodies keep us safe.

But what if fear also serves another purpose?

What if fear can be a guidepost to what’s truly important and meaningful in our lives and careers?

What if fear can actually tell us what to do, instead of what not to do?

Putting true safety fears aside (such as poisonous snakes, tornados, hurricanes, and the like), fear often tells us what we care about most.

For instance, Suzanne is terrified about giving a presentation to her company’s board of directors. She’s afraid that she’s going to make mistakes, give them incorrect information, or make a fool of herself.

But why? She’s given presentations before. She’s comfortable speaking in front of other people. She has a high degree of confidence in her capabilities. She absolutely knows the information that the board needs. There’s truly no reason for her to be afraid.

So, what’s behind the fear?

Love.

In a previous blog, I talked about the fact that there are only two emotions: Love and Fear.

But the reality is that fear is also an expression of love.

Suzanne is experiencing fear about her presentation to the board because she loves her job, loves her company, and wants to do a great job with it. Her fear is driven by a deep love and desire to do what’s best for her career and her organization.

It’s often the things we love the most that invoke the most fear.

This is where fear becomes a guidepost for us.

When you think of all the actions you could possibly take today (or this week), what brings up the most fear?

Is it driving to work or the grocery store?? Probably not, but that’s probably where you’ll face the most physical danger.

What is it?

Is it having a tough conversation with a colleague or subordinate? That’s probably because you care about that person, your relationship with them, or the impact they could have on something else you love. Right?

Is it applying for the job you saw posted last week, but you’ve been procrastinating on taking action? It’s probably because you really care about that job.

What about signing up for a course or a degree program? Starting to write the book that you’ve always wanted to write? Taking time off to go on your dream vacation? Making the investment to start your own business?

Whatever it is, it’s very important to you, but you may have been telling yourself that it isn’t.

Because sometimes that’s what fear does. It tells you that something isn’t that big a deal when you know deep in your heart that it is.

Fear helps you to find reasons why you can’t do something, or you fill your time with anything but “that”. Maybe you just keep putting it off until tomorrow.

It’s called making excuses.

That’s why it’s so important to remember that fear is an indicator of love.

Because then, you can look beyond the fear and realize that it’s love that’s driving the fear and wanting to drive you.

And that’s when fear turns into a guidepost.

The funny thing is that once you recognize what you love and how much you love it, it’s much easier to overcome that fear!

What’s your biggest fear right now?

Is love driving it?

And . . . Do you need to pay attention to the fear as a guidepost for where to go next?

I know I do. ??

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I'm Karen Ann Bulluck , and one thing I love is elevating the stories of women leaders. If one of your fears is telling your story, whether as a book, in a podcast, or in some other format, I'd love to chat with you. Just shoot me a DM.