Simple Truth #4: Recognize & Redirect Fear

Sure, some fear is healthy. For instance, the “run for your life” kind of fear or the “wow, something really doesn’t feel right about this” kind of fear — this is healthy fear. It can keep you from harm and could even save your life. In this case, please pay close attention and run (and get help) if necessary.

But there is also unhealthy fear, the kind of fear that shows up and contradicts something you really want in your life, something all the signs suggest would be a really positive thing in your life, but you still find every excuse to not do it.

It’s this unhealthy fear I’m talking about when I say recognize and redirect fear.

Unhealthy fear conjures up thoughts like:

• I’m way outside my comfort zone.
• That’s too risky.
• I don’t want to look foolish.
• But what if I try and fail?
• Nobody in my family has ever done that before, so who am I to think I could?

It’s these fears that are sure to stop you from getting real and staying real. The fear that makes you think these or something similar is usually unwarranted and is brought on by misinformed or misdirected beliefs you have about yourself, life or the task in front of you. Sound familiar?

Learn to recognize when fear is unhealthy fear, this second kind of fear, this unwarranted fear, so you can manage it and make sure it doesn’t get in your way of creating the life you were designed to live.

Start by recognizing your fear and its’ self talk.

• Identify your self-talk around your fear by filling in the blanks: “I really want to _____, but I’m afraid to because _______.”
• Spend some time getting to know your fear. Ask yourself questions like: “Why am I afraid of (blank)? Do I know for sure there is actually something to be afraid of?”
• Keep asking “why” and “what” questions about your fear and the situation until you feel more comfortable with your fear.

And, finally, when it comes to managing this pesky kind of fear, remember this — my mantra on fear —

“Acknowledge it, ignore it, and then, get busy doing
whatever it is trying to talk you out of doing.” — Me

Or as Dr. Susan Jeffers suggests in her best selling book, “Feel the fear and do it anyway!”

Fear is one of my favorite topics, as it was one of the first things I really “got” (after reading “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”) and this changed my life. I believe fear is the biggest deterrent to getting real and living an amazing life.

Seriously, no more waiting! Kick that unhealthy fear to the curb already and get busy getting real!

I’d love to hear about your experiences with this unhealthy, unwarranted fear that we focus on in this post and about any new ideas for recognizing and redirecting fear that have helped you and you think might help others.

Thanks for joining the conversation,
Shannon