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Overcoming Fear in All Its Disguises by Jack Canfield

 

Fear is one of most common reasons people procrastinate on taking action toward their goals. Motivational speaker and co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield, gives some advice about overcoming this ubiquitous obstacle.

 

In an effort to avoid failure, rejection, being embarrassed, disappointing or angering other people, getting hurt and a plethora of other things, we play it safe and avoid trying new things.

 

Fear is natural. But it’s important to remember that, as humans, we’ve evolved to the stage where almost all of our fears are now self-created. We scare ourselves by imagining negative outcomes to any activities we pursue or experience. In fact, psychologists like to say that fear means Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real.

 

It is important to identify any unfounded fears. To identify the unfounded fears in your life, do this simple exercise. First, make a list of the things you are afraid to do. These are not things you are afraid of, such as spiders, but instead the things you are afraid do to, such as skydiving. Next, restate each fear in the following format:

 

I want to_______________, and I scare myself by imagining ____________________.

 

For example, I want to start my own business, and I scare myself by imagining that I would go bankrupt and lose my house.

 

By completing this statement for all of the things we are afraid to do, it’s easy to see how we create our own fear by imagining negative outcomes in the future.

 

3 Ways to Overcome Fear

Here are three easy techniques for moving past your fears:

1. Disappear fear by choosing a positive mental image. When we’re afraid, our minds are full of negative thoughts and images. When you are feeling afraid, tune into the negative images in your head, then choose to replace them with positive images that reflect your desired outcome. For example, if you’re afraid that starting your own business will end in bankruptcy and losing your house, instead picture your new business becoming wildly successful and buying a second vacation home with all your extra income.

 

 2. Focus on the physical sensations. You may feel fear in your body as a sinking feeling in your stomach, a tightening in your shoulders and chest, or an elevated heart rate. Next, focus on the feelings you’d rather be experiencing instead, such as peace and joy. Fix these two different impressions in your mind’s eye, then move back and forth between the two, spending 15 seconds or so in each. After a minute or two, you’ll find yourself feeling neutral and centred.

 

3. Recall your successes. You’ve overcome countless fears to become the person you are today. New experiences always feel a little scary. But when you face your fears and do them anyway, you build up confidence in your abilities. The situation you’re facing now and how your fear is manifesting may be different than what you’ve experienced in the past, but you know how to overcome your fears. You’ve spent a lifetime doing so successfully

 

FEEL YOUR FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY

 Every successful person I know has been willing to take a leap of faith even though they were afraid. They knew that if they didn’t act, opportunity would pass them by.

 

 RECOGNISE FEAR FOR WHAT IT IS:

Fear is a mental trick that your ego uses in attempt to protect you from the negative outcomes it imagines. You create your fear and you have the power to dissolve it as well. Use the techniques in this article to overcome this powerful roadblock, so you can turn your dreams into reality and live the life you deserve. Remember, no one achieves greatness by playing it safe.

 

Jack Canfield

As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre - and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of more than 123 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul® franchise (and over 500 million copies in print worldwide), Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success. Behind the empire Time Magazine called the "publishing phenomenon of the decade" is America's leading expert in creating peak performance for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers, sales professionals, corporate employees, and educators. Over the last 30 years, his compelling message, empowering energy and personable coaching style has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals achieve their dreams. Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack has studied and reported on what makes successful people different. He knows what motivates them, what drives them, and what inspires them. He brings this critical insight to countless audiences internationally---sharing his success strategies in the media, with companies, universities and professional associations. Jack is a Harvard graduate with a Master's Degree in psychological education and one of the earliest champions of peak-performance, developing specific methodologies and results-oriented activities to help people take on greater challenges and produce breakthrough results. His proven formula for success reached global acclaim with his most recent National Bestseller, The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. This new standard in self-improvement contains 64 powerful principles for success utilized by top achievers from all walks of life and all areas of commerce. The Success Principles ---and the entire empire of "Principles" books, products, coaching programs and branded retail merchandise ---is Jack’s most recent offering to the more than 100 million readers he currently reaches worldwide.

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