3 Steps to Conquer Your Fears

Are you afraid of acting on something, even though it could bring you closer to your goals and dreams? Are your fears preventing you from living the life you truly want to live? Do you have goals and dreams, but are afraid to even start working on them? Maybe you are afraid that no matter how much work you put in and no matter how hard you try, you still won't be able to succeed? Maybe you're scared of what other people will think of you? Or maybe you're terrified, because you don't know what will happen when you finally achieve your dream? Are these emotions familiar to you? If you answered yes, then you are allowing your fears to stand between you and the life that you truly deserve to live. The good news is you don't have to do that. You can always make a conscious decision to choose your dreams instead of your fears. Just make the first step and it will be much easier to follow through. 1. Think about what you want, not what you're afraid of. When you realize you want to be doing something, but your fear kicks in, stop for a moment and think about why you want to do it. Focus on your desire. Think about what your life will be like when you accomplish your goal. Your fear is only powerful when you give your attention to it. And you cannot be focused on your desire and thinking about your fear at the same time. You always have to choose one. How many times have you chosen fear? Maybe it's time to see what happens when you choose your desires instead? The next time you catch yourself thinking about how scared you are to do something, relax, take a deep breath, and remember you goal. 2. Start with small steps and gradually build your resistance to fear. For example, if you are afraid to start a conversation with a person you've just met, start by gradually building confidence in social situations. Set a goal to smile at one stranger today. When you've accomplished that goal, set a new one to smile at two, three, or ten strangers on the following day. After you feel comfortable smiling at strangers, set a goal to start a conversation with someone you've never met before or just come up to a person you don't know and ask them something. You will notice how much more comfortable and confident you will feel. By overcoming your fears gradually, starting with small achievable steps, you will feel more and more comfortable doing what previously made your heart sink. 3. Educate yourself. In many cases the fear comes from not having enough information about the source of your fear. For example, if you want to start your own business, but are afraid to take any action steps towards your goal, maybe the problem is that you don't really know how to run a business? If you've been an employee your entire life and don't have a degree in Business education, you probably don't know much about running businesses, so you don't even know where to start. In that case the best solution is to educate yourself on the topic. Find and read books; talk to people who are already doing what you want to do and ask them to give you advice and recommend resources that can help you learn about your subject. When you understand the source of your fear, it will no longer intimidate you. Think about this: in a year from now, you can still be where you are right now, afraid to pursue your dreams and living in fear. Or you can start today conquering that fear, building courage and strength, and making small steps towards your dreams. Imagine were you will be a year from now if you choose that path. So which path will it be for you?