If you harbor countless fears, the things that terrify you may grow so debilitating that they cause you to become unsuccessful in reaching the goals you’ve set for yourself. Whether you want to grow your business, maintain your marriage or simply wish to achieve a fair amount of happiness in life, fear is a destructive culprit. Fear not only manifests as a conscious feeling but can live subconsciously beneath our recognizable thoughts.
Learn how to tell the difference between rational and irrational fear.
Rational fears represent physical dangers that exist in the real world. For instance, it is normal and smart to fear things that can hurt us like rats, cockroaches or venomous snakes. These fears protect us and keep us out of harm’s way.
Diversely, irrational fears consist of conditions, belongings or people that do not exist. You can, however, very easily pretend and convince yourself that your irrational fears are real by inventing a myriad of excuses justifying their reality. For example, you may think that asking your workers to act with due diligence will cause them to rebel against you and your business. The fear is irrational because it is not based on a real situation. You are simply conceiving various imaginary situations in your mind that have no basis for reality.
It is impossible to have a realistic picture in your mind’s eye if you do everything with trepidation. Since your fears are often irrational, your perception of reality becomes cloudy. This cloudiness causes you to become even more afraid. Learning to conquer your fear enables you to perceive things in a realistic way.
Practice the following six steps to conquer your fears:
1. Name your fears.
Discover your fears by listing the things you think you cannot do or the activities you never try to perform. This soon reveals that most of your fears are unsubstantiated.
2. Recognize and welcome your fears.
Accept all of the things you are afraid of with open arms. Discern whether these are real or simply fake, manifested fears. Cultivate a grateful attitude toward the fears that protect you from dangers. Let go of irrational fears that do not offer any useful purposes in your life.
3. Remember… you are not your fears.
You are far more than fleeting fears that come and go as they please. Do not identify yourself with your fears. Instead, accept the fact that fear does not reside within your brain, heart or soul. Your fears are something far different from your true personage. Imagine that all of your fears are disappearing from view.
4. Think about the most unpleasant thing that could happen to you.
Consider your reactions and ensuing actions if a terrible fear were to come true. How would you react? Your fears will tend to dissipate once you understand that you can take care of yourself even if you are caught in a dreadful situation.
5. Think about whether a horrible thing will actually occur.
When you consider the odds of a terrible fear coming true, you soon see that the thing that scares you the most will probably never happen. Instead of worrying about make-believe fears, think about how to become a successful person.
6. Focus on the things you want out of life.
Do not allow fear to ruin your chance of living a life filled with joy and excitement. Concentrate on the things you wish to achieve. Pretend that you have already accomplished your goals. Become the master of your own fate.
If these six simple steps are not enough to cope with a phobia or mental health issue, consider your option to work with a coach. Remember that the most important thing you can do is to confront your fears and have a plan of action.
Brandon Webb is a New York Times bestselling author, pilot, tech investor, former Navy SEAL, and founder of the Hurricane Group, a men’s lifestyle brand.
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