The following 5 life lessons are all dealing with fear, because it’s such a crucial factor that can make or break our success in this lifetime.
6. Fear is an illusion; it’s our imagination of a bad outcome
If we focus our attention on an idea that scares us, without doing anything about it, it only increases the fear and prolongs the problem. It’s much healthier and more helpful to live in the moment rather than worrying about the future, and get busy DOING the things that scare us, right now. Once we’ve overcome the obstacle, we invariably say, “Well, that wasn’t so bad”. It’s the build up of procrastinating and avoidance that wastes our lives. Completely ignoring our fear and doing it anyway boosts confidence. We become proud of ourselves and happier with our lives. As they say, “you don’t regret what you did half as much as you regret the things you didn’t do“. Here is one example of facing a challenge I was not sure at all that I could accomplish, but when I did, I was so much stronger for having gone for it.
7. Anger is simply one way to express fear
Sadness is also an expression of fear… as is most laughter. Humans spend a lot of time being afraid of most everything. Perhaps that explains why we are one of the few creatures with the whites of the eyes showing. Other mammals only show the whites when they are experiencing terror.
Knowing that anger is fear is extremely empowering. When people are freaking out, you can step back and take a few deep breaths and allow them to vent their fear without taking it personally. Being aware of the true cause of the problem allows you to alleviate their fear and get back on track. When it is ourselves that are angry or sad, it helps to know that we are in fact afraid, so we can address the true root issue.
8. Trust your instincts
Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of things, even when our deepest instincts are clearly telling us it’s the right thing to do. Indecision only makes a situation worse. We must trust ourselves and forge ahead. If we need to adjust our aim along the way, don’t worry, that’s to be expected. It’s much better to risk making a mistake than to never take a chance at succeeding. Don’t let fear stop you from growing.
9. Stand your ground
Even if (or especially if) you were raised to be a people-pleaser, it is vital to learn how to make your own needs a priority. Practice unflinchingly telling people, “No.”, without making excuses. Don’t feel guilty for ‘being selfish’, because no one else will accomplish your life goals for you. Be firm and make a stand for the things that are most important to you.
10. Planning will only get you so far
We must take ACTION! Delaying can lead to self doubt and loss of motivation. We must DO what we know we need to do, NOW! I’m a huge fan of lists, and in many ways planning has helped me improve my life. However, the flip side is the danger of over-planning and under-doing. Less talk. More action. Remember that fear is an illusion. Be brave and go for it!
Click here to continue reading the last 5 life lessons in this series, which are all about minimalism.