Dear Fears: F Off
Everyone has fears. Everyone has anxiety. Even the most successful hustlers. I mean, think about it, fears are just defense mechanisms. It’s your brain and your body trying to protect you from the unknown, the dangerous, the risky. But really — we need a little thrill in our lives. We all need to take risks. Want to know how courageous people conquer their fears? Read on, my friend.
Self-Awareness
The first step in conquering anything is to admit you have a problem. You are fearful. Own it. Respect it. Challenge it! Grab a pen and paper or your phone and write it down. Write out what you are afraid of. Self-reflection is a necessary first step before you can truly dive into it.
Explore It
Fearless people understand that fear is an interactive experience made up of emotional, physical, and mental parts. Fear is not just worry, but it is a trick to make your mind think things are worse than they are. Your own actions have an impact on the degree of fear you feel. Discover the origin of your fears. What triggered this? Understand that it’s not about what scares you; it’s about why it scares you. It could have anything to do with a past experience, forecasting the future, or just biology — genetic predisposed fears that you were designed to be afraid of. When you identify the why, you can discover solutions.
Overprepare, Don’t Overreact
People who live fearlessly don’t spend much time worrying about the worst-case scenario. In fact, they prepare for it. Have a plan, have a backup plan; plan B, plan C, even plan D. Overprepare without obsessing or overreacting. Be calm. Control your mind, don’t let it control you. Freaking out never solves anything; it just wastes more time, and we don’t have time to waste.
Be Inspired
Look at your favorite people and fill your brain with images of how you want yourself to be. Connect with role models, people who have the same fears you do. Talk to them, read about them, and use these examples as an energy source to kick your fears in the ass.
Fuel your hustle by putting your fears in the backseat. You’re in the driver’s seat, so you are in control. Fears don’t ever really go away, but once you identify them and start preparing, you can take action. To correct behaviors, be willing to look stupid and make mistakes. Take a breath, sip your coffee, and let go.