Is there something you want to do but you are afraid to fail? Is fear limiting you or even stopping you from pursuing your dream? You don’t have to stay stuck. You can work with a coach to overcome fear, trust in your success, and develop and implement a winning strategy.
Here are ten of the most effective methods I use with my clients to help them overcome fear. Use what resonates with you and start moving fearlessly in the direction of your dreams.
#1 Assess the risks.
Ask yourself what you have to lose if you face your fears and go for your dream versus what you have to lose if you don’t. More often than not, you will realize that giving up on your dream is much more damaging to your heart and soul than any material loss or set back if you don’t succeed right away. Stagnation and regret come at a high cost that you cannot afford.
#2 Be rational and look at things as they are.
Don’t make potential risks bigger than they are. Let’s say for example that you are afraid of making a bad decision. So what? Even if you do, you will learn something valuable that will serve you later. It won’t kill you or destroy your sense of self-worth. Understand that going from where you are to where you want to be isn’t a straight line. There will be some detours and that’s ok. It’s part of growing, learning, and achieving.
#3 Remember how success feels.
Think of an event from your past when you initially felt scared but took action anyway and were triumphant! Remember how it felt to overcome your fear and achieve something big! You’ve done it before and can do it again! Bring yourself back to this moment and use that positive feeling to find the courage to commit to taking action. Stop doubting. You got this!
#4 Prevent problems from happening.
If you have a legitimate and rational fear about something that is likely to happen, you can be proactive and look for ways to prevent it. Don’t be defeated before you start! The key is to find multiple perspectives and be resourceful enough to create solutions. It is your responsibility to reduce risk where you can rather than watching how things unfold. Reclaim your personal power.
#5 Focus on what is within your control.
Thinking of all the things outside of your control can give you a panic attack! Don’t waste any time or energy letting your mind go into dark places. Instead, put your attention on what you can control. For example, you get to control the decisions you make, the actions you take, and how you give meaning to what happens around you. When you are confident, focused, and take strategic action, you perform better and attract more synchronistic events and people to help you along the way.
#6 Appreciate lessons and gifts.
Realize that even if you do mess up, you will have learned something valuable that will make you more successful next time. Every experience is part of your journey. You may become more understanding, more compassionate, savvier, and more strategic. You can also help others avoid the same challenge by teaching them what you discover along the way. There is value in every experience, pleasant or unpleasant, so learn to appreciate lessons and gifts that come from getting out of your comfort zone.
#7 Open your mind to an even better outcome.
Take a moment to contemplate how you could benefit, hypothetically, if things did not go according to your plan. How could life point you in an even better direction? Maybe you need to fail at something to realize what you are really meant to do instead. Being frozen in inaction won’t ever take you anywhere. Action, on the other hand, propels you forward even when it’s not in a straight line. The only way to gain clarity about something is to experience it. Give it a chance!
#8 Think of your goals and intention daily.
To overcome fears, it is essential to keep reminding yourself of what you want and why you want it. Make your vision of success so compelling that your fears won’t matter anymore. Think of how your life will change, what will become possible, and how you will feel when you reach your goals. Too much is at stake for you to let your fears stop you from achieving your dream.
#9 Choose your identity.
Who do you want to be? Do you want to believe you are strong, empowered, and courageous? If yes, you can’t let fear get in the way. If you did, it would damage your self-worth and make you live the rest of your life with regret. Also, consider what kind of role model you would be for your kids or other loved ones who are observing you and learning from you. Your choices affect their beliefs about life, what is or isn’t possible, and whether to let passion or fear drive their decisions.
#10 Feel as if you had already succeeded.
Instead of worrying about the work ahead or what could go wrong, start making changes in your life to feel as if you had already succeeded. What will success allow you to experience and how can you experience it now? For example, if your goal will give you more freedom, find ways to experience more freedom now. If you hope for more financial abundance, start feeling deep appreciation for what is already abundant in your life now. Felling “as if” will bring you closer to your goal emotionally and energetically.
You do not have to implement all 10 methods; in fact, one may be enough for you.
Start doing what feels right for you and keep moving in the direction of your dreams. If you would like to speak with me about your goals and how to reach them, I invite you to schedule a complimentary strategy session by clicking here.
When you face your fears, they fade away. There is so much joy in store for you! Don’t play small. I believe in you.
About the author: Since 2010 Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, online courses, and interviews on international telesummits. Audrey is the go-to Success Coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.
