We’ve all had times in our lives when we’ve been fearful of certain situations. Fear is thinking about what we don’t want to happen. It’s focusing on the negative. Of course, focusing on the negative generally produces negative results. By confronting our fears and understanding and dealing with them, we can actually conquer them.
According to Tammy Kohl, President of Resource Associates Corporation, there are several techniques we can use to relieve and control the feelings of fear:
- Locate the source of your fear. Once uncovered and evaluated, you will frequently find the fear is truly unrealistic in light of your past achievements and future possibilities.
- Analyze the situation which provoked the fearful response. Then ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that could possibly happen. If you are realistic about the fearful possibilities, you will typically find the fear is unwarranted.
- Train yourself (create a new habit) where you focus on the positive outcomes of your predetermined goals. The excitement about the potential rewards and benefits of accomplishing your goal often outweighs the fear of making it happen.
- Concentrate on all the positive qualities you possess and the incredible talent you bring to every situation.
- Understand that perfection is unrealistic. Goal achievement is far different from perfection. There are many things in life that are out of your control and out of your sphere of influence. Understand that the path to success may not be paved with perfectly placed stepping-stones. Give yourself permission to take an alternate course or adjust a timetable. However, at the same time, be honest with yourself. Make the adjustment because it is the right thing to do for the overall goal. Do not make the adjustment because you are bogged down by the inertia of poor activity.
- Recognize that you will never know enough to be absolutely certain about every decision every time. All worthwhile decisions involve some degree of risk. Remember that by making no decision at all, you run the risk of having someone else make the decision for you. Do not let the potential fear of making mistakes or bad decisions immobilize you.
- Focus on your predetermined goals. One reason so many of us avoid taking action is that we are unwilling to experience the slightest bit of pain or discomfort. Determine what is important to you personally and professionally and chart a course to make it happen. Your goal planning process provides the best possible roadmap.
Whether you are struggling with a business issue or a personal issue and are fearful of the outcomes, the same 7 key points apply. Our success in life is predicated upon our success professionally and personally and the balance of the two. If you find yourself frequently justifying your actions (to yourself and others), generating excuses, or concocting elaborate stories as to why something did or did not happen, I challenge you to recognize that the excuse is a symptom. It is a symptom of a deeper issue or fear. More importantly if that issue or fear is addressed, the solution will immediately propel you to higher levels of success!