4 Myths About Fear

What is your relationship with fear? What I mean is, how has your view of fear impacted your life and your choices? If you have ever thought about taking any significant risk or making a change to better your life or career, you most likely have had feelings of fear and anxiety.

When we step out of our comfort zone and face our fears, we respond in a very specific manner- called the flight or flight response. Let’s say you were back millions of years and a woolly mammoth was charging at you, you really have two options- run away or stand your ground and fight. Both require a lot of energy. Think about this today- at the slightest hint of a threat- a sudden movement in the bushes- our flight or flight response kicks in.

This same fight of flight response kicks in when we want to make a change for the better. The problem is most people don’t recognize what is happening and they give fear and anxiety too much power over their lives.

Below are four myths about fear that will change your life:

Myth 1: Fear Is a Sign of Weakness

It is actually natural when we experience fear. If you don’t experience this response when you take a risk, face a challenge, or leave your comfort zone then something is actually wrong.

Myth 2: Fear Impairs Performance

If you talk to any top athletes, movie stars, or public speakers they experience the fight or flight response. Top performers rarely use words such as fear or anxiety though. They have discovered a very important truth: Fear is not your enemy. Is is a powerful source of energy that can be harnessed and used for your benefit.

Myth 3: Fear holds you back

The story is that fear somehow holds you back from achieving what you want in life. Actually that is not the case. What holds you back is not fear, but actually your attitude about fear. The tighter you hold on to that attitude that fear is something bad then that not only will keep you stuck, but it will actually increase your anxiety.

Myth 4: Confidence is the Absence of Fear

The story goes that confident people don’t feel anxious or afraid. The truth is, in a challenging situation, even the most confident people on the planet experience fear. Genuine confidence is not the absence of fear, it’s a transformed relationship with fear.

Questions to Ponder:

What area in your life are you allowing fear to influence your choices? What are you going to do about it?

#cultivatingconfidencewithcoleman #fear