Fear Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of!

What do you do when fear shows up? Do you hide under the covers of life, shivering as you anxiously wait for the moment to pass or do you stand up with a confident smile and embrace it?

Your answer to this simple question will have a considerable impact on the level of freedom, excitement and empowerment you experience on a daily basis. Whatever your response, the thing to remember is that your fears are nothing to be afraid of!

What is Fear?

The Oxford dictionary defines fear as "an unpleasant emotion caused by the expectation of pain". The thing to note here is that the emotion of fear is caused by the 'expectation' of pain rather than the actual 'experience' of pain. There is no requirement that our fears be based on any form of rational or objective thought. In fact, it's entirely possible that the fears that exist in our lives are based purely on anticipated scenarios that may never actually transpire. The problem is however, that we live and act as if these scenarios are constantly replaying in our lives.

False Evidence that Appears Real.

One of my favourite definitions of fear is "False Evidence that Appears Real". In today's modern society we are conditioned to be fearful of just about everything. We fear failure, yet also fear success. We fear being lonely, yet fear being truly loved. We fear restrictions on our freedom to speak, yet we fear speaking out.

You are not Alone.

I think one of the big things to consider about fear is that you are not alone. We all experience fear. It's a very natural part of being human. It's not fear itself that's the problem, it's what we actually do with the fear when it enters our lives. Channelled effectively, fear can be a great catalyst for change and a tool for reclaiming your personal power. At the other extreme, avoiding fear will paralyse your life force.

Physical Symptoms of Fear.

The physical symptoms that we experience as a result of fear are really not as frightening as many of us make out. Some typical fear symptoms include the tightening of the chest and throat, muscle weakness, sweaty palms, energy depletion, a dry mouth and breathlessness. What, no loss of limbs or physical torture? In all seriousness, when you really think about it, the physical symptoms of fear are hardly anything to be afraid of.

Overcoming Your Fear.

One of the best ways to overcome your fears is to actually show up in spite of them. An old personal fear of mine was speaking in public. For some strange reason it terrified me and it was made all the worse by the fact that I avoided it as much as I could. As it happens, through the course of a seminar business I was involved with a couple of years ago, I had to introduce a speaker in front of an audience of around 300 people. My brief speech started well, but then all of a sudden my fears got the better of me. I lost my flow and stood speechless on stage for around 15 seconds (though it felt like a life time!) trying to remember my position.

This experience signalled to me that it was time to face my fear because I never wanted to be in a situation where I felt uncomfortable talking to a group of people again. I decided to join a very supportive public speaking club that meets on a weekly basis. I disciplined myself to show up every week in spite of my fears. Now I not only love public speaking but I get paid to do it as well!

Calculate the Costs!

What has fear cost you in your lifetime already? How many relationships have you let slip by? How many job opportunities have you not applied for? How many business ideas have you turned your back on simply because of the fact that you let your fears get the better of you?

Never in your life has there been a better time to confront your fears. Now is the time to stop being afraid of them. Meet them, greet them and then channel that energy into creating a life you can be proud of!

Damien Senn is a Life and Business Coach as well as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. He helps professionals, artists and entrepreneurs create compelling futures.

He is the author of the 'Senn-Sational Success Journal' and has developed his own coaching model called the 'Senn-Sational Success System'.

For your free life coaching tool '101 things to do before you die', please click the following link:

http://www.senn-sational.com/freeresources.htm



How to Deal Effectively with Anxiety

Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part... Read More

Tripping On Mindfulness

One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still... Read More

Permission To Have FUN

? Have you been working long hours? ? Have... Read More

The Value of Coaching to Support Your Business and Your Life

In our daily lives as well as in our businesses,... Read More

The Mid-Life Challenge: Make a Plan to Re-ignite Vocational Passion

Nobody will stop you in the hallway at work to... Read More

Executive Coaching Case Studies

If you are wondering whether investment in executive coaching would... Read More

A Live It

Real change happens only when it becomes part of our... Read More

Why Bosses Dont Get All the News

Not long ago, a friend who works in television complained... Read More

How to Adopt a Losing Attitude

We have all heard the expression, "Where your heart is?,... Read More

Think Twice Before Youre Nice

A few months back I had a disturbing dream. In... Read More

Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation

With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More

How to Tune In Your Brain & Feel Confident with People in Moments

One day when I was in school, many years ago,... Read More

Do You Trust Your Mentor(s)?

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it,... Read More

Developing Will Power and Self Discipline

Most people admire and respect strong individuals, who have won... Read More

Coaching Skills and Positive Motivation

There is one important point that is often missed in... Read More

What Is A Personal Trainer

Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More

The X-factor

Would you agree that today most of us have the... Read More

7 Effective Ways To Boost Your Self Esteem

1. Get a life purpose statement.A well thought out life... Read More

Mindfulness and Multiple Intelligences: 8 Ways to Pay Attention

How are you smart?Let me count the ways.Harvard professor Howard... Read More

Get Out What You Put In!

During a recent coaching session with Mark, I was briefly... Read More

Why Therapy Fails Sometimes

I saw a couple for marriage counseling this week, and... Read More

Reduce Anxiety About Decison Making

What's the alternative to making decisions?Allowing someone else, or circumstances,... Read More

Coaching: The Art of Putting Yourself In Somone Elses Shoes

COACHING STEPS: The following are five (5) steps a coach... Read More

Throw a No-Heat Party for the Planet

Is it really possible to have loads of fun, and... Read More

Be A Champion Communicator by Becoming a Chameleon

Recently, I worked with a client who was having a... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: