From time to time, we all experience some form of fear. We’re told to “face our fears” because it will help us grow, but when it comes down to it that’s a lot easier said than done. While it’s sometimes inevitable to feel fear, learning how to control it so that it doesn’t control you will allow you to experience life in a new light.
It’s important to note that while we all have our own phobias, fear is present in other aspects of our lives as well. Being afraid to apply for that job, talk to that person, or try something new can generate fear of the unknown.
Fear generates a fight or flight response from your brain, which can be beneficial in moments of danger, however, it can also cause us to hold back and fear things that are not real threats. In fact, the problem with fear is that it often lies to us. Our fears allow our imagination to think of what can happen and cause us to be afraid of things that do not and may never exist.
“The best things in life are on the opposite side of your maximum fear.” – Will Smith.
Here are five reasons to control your fear so it doesn’t control you.
1. You WILL Get Through It!
If you really think about it, how many times did you fear something and realize later on that it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be? That’s the work of your imagination creating the worst possible scenario in your mind, which almost never actually comes into play.
That’s not to say that things will never go wrong, because there’s always a possibility that it can. It’s all about taking control of those imaginations so we don’t allow them to hold us back. Just plan as much as you can and take a leap of faith! The rest will eventually fall into place.
2. The “What If’s” Will Consume You
If you don’t try you’ll never know and always wonder, “What if?” Regret is the second most common emotional state we experience. It forces us to think of how a situation could’ve ended better or to our advantage. If you always fear the “what ifs”, you’ll never allow yourself to experience life at its full potential. Yes, you may not always get the outcome you intended, but accepting that you put your best foot forward will get you one step closer to controlling your fears.
3. Failure is OK
Fear of failure is probably one the most shared fears among us all. There are times where we find ourselves limiting our abilities because we’re afraid of failing. In reality, you can’t have success without failure. Failure is how we learn from our mistakes and become a better version of ourselves. It’s OK to not get it right 100% of the time; it’s actually pretty common. What matters is how you learn from those failures and turn them into motivators!
4. You’re Capable of More Than You Think
If we let it, fear can make us believe that we’re not good enough or capable of accomplishing our goals. We’re all worthy of achieving goals and living our lives to the best potential. Don’t let fear get in the way of your purpose.
It may take you a few tries to get it right because after all, none of us are perfect, but you don’t know how much you’re capable of until you push yourself. Go out and give it a try, then try again, and again. Keep pushing yourself past your fear and realize that you are greater than you think!
5. Fear Makes Us Do the Opposite of What’s Best For Us
One of the challenges with fear is learning when to listen to it and when to ignore it. When we encounter fear, our natural response is to avoid it. The way we overcome this is by asking ourselves what’s in our best long-term interest. Sometimes the best things in life are where our fears lie.
You give your fears power the more you listen to them. Don’t let fear get in the way of becoming the best you!