Facing Fear- Taking Actions that Stretch You
Posted: Wednesday, April 28, 2010
by Beth Tabak
Starting Now
Change life, ignite your career, boost business, and enhance relationships by regularly (at least once daily) stretching out of your comfort zone. In the book, Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers says, "The more you expand your comfort zone the more powerful you become." We have what seems to be an infinite amount of inner strength. We are capable of so much more! We just need to get comfortable being gutsy. Think of how much children grow yearly. They are consistently forced to stretch out of their comfort zone at each level in school, in activities, etc. Kids are elated flying down a zip line after facing a fear of heights, and sparkle with pride after speaking in front of a live audience in a school play. It is only when their own self critic gives into critics that things change. As adults, we are not on a plateau. There is more learning, stretching, and growing to be done that leads to greater opportunities, more fun, success, life experience, etc. So here are 5 essential perceptions to take on s you face fear plus ideas for how to strengthen your courage muscle daily.
Courageous Does Not Mean Fearless- Many famous performers admittedly get nervous prior to performing. Heroes often admit they felt scared to death'. Courageous people are not without fear. Writer James Neil Hollingworth defined it well, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
Discomfort is a Natural Part of Growth- Ask yourself if you are experiencing the defense mechanism of fear protecting you from a legitimate dangerous situation or are these growing pains. Will this experience help you gain strength, knowledge, and life experience that could lead to more opportunities, a higher quality of life, more self confidence, etc. no matter what the result? There is reason to be excited when you experience growing pains (butterflies)!
Learn from Failures- "Pay no attention to what critics say. No statue has ever been put up to a critic," was expressed by composer Jean Sibelius years ago. Resist getting attached to results or what others think. Get feedback and learn but don't bestow critics the undeserved glory to be repeated over in your mind. Aim to grow from each experience.
Being Gutsy Daily is like Strengthening a Muscle- The more you use inner strength the stronger and more confident you become. Take a deep breath, get support, believe in yourself, and take those risks. Stretch yourself daily and see more and better opportunities roll your way. The best part is how great you feel at the end of the day.
Ideas to Develop the Tapping Inner Strength' Habit:
When taking risks stay compassionate towards others and authentic to who you are.
~ Call someone you would like to learn from and work on developing that relationship.
~ Contact a prospective client, learn their needs, and how you can help them.
~ Learn the needs of groups and schedule a speaking engagement with one you know you can help.
~ Learn a new skill or activity.
~ Take a class or do something alone and meet new people.
~ Dress or wear your hair differently, or wear purple nail polish (hey guys- you can skip the purple nail polish ~smile~)
~ Have that conversation you've been wanting to have with someone you love.
~ Talk to your boss about how you can flourish with the company.
~ Take a conversation deeper (where appropriate).
~ Make a connection that may help you grow your career or business.
~ Lead something.
~ Participate in a cause or group effort.
American author, John A. Shedd, wrote in Salt from my Attic, "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." Neither are we, which is why inaction often causes anxiety. Step into each day drawing from inner strength ready to take risks in order to fill the gap to your greatest abilities. KNOW that at the end of the day any failures will add up to greater strength, knowledge, expertise, and success~ abundantly more than if you never bothered to risk at all. Tap into your spring of inner strength and really live ... Starting Now!
Beth Tabak of www.StartingNowCoaching.com is 100% committed to small business coaching and personal life coaching. She coaches big thinkers to be unlimited, stand out in the crowd, and experience the vastness of their abilities. Stop by to see all that is available to you, connect with Beth through social networking, and say hello'.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Agree with you ... Procrastination and fear of change is the key reason. But sometimes, I personally feel that personality does play a part. I hear some people say, "wait till i gather more experience first, then only I will do it.", on the other hand, successful entrepreneur often doesn't start out with "i already know it all" ...it's the "JUST DO IT" personality and mentality that differentiate between the both of themHi Evanna, Thanks so much for taking the time to read & comment.The difference in the 2 is in your last line... not in 'personality' (limiting) but 'mentality' (where we choose to focus our thoughts). Those who wait to gain experience may be holding back due to fear. At any time they can change perceptions, limiting thought patterns (old habits), and pull from the abundance of inner strength w/in to forge through fear. There are very vibrant, successful speakers & performers, etc. who once had shy personalities but used courage to move forward. Hope this helps!!
This article seems to be written for me. I have started a home-based business that would be greatly increased if I go out and introduce myself and let people know about my products. I have taken some baby steps, but need to do much more. I am very good at making excuses not to!!Thanks for the boost,SueThanks for the comment Sue- You are coming upon a great networking time... September, October, and all through the holidays. Create your plan now. And get your feet wet in August. I don't think anyone has learned to swim by sitting on the edge of a pool. I have a feeling you have something special to offer. Get really clear on what you have to offer and how your products help others. Keep your focus there instead of on self. Hope this helps.
The way we learn best is through our mistakes. The worse the mistake, the less likely we are to repeat it!This is an excellent point!
BethWonderful article. Although I do not have a traditional "career" or product/service to market, the points of the article can be applied even in personal development. I find myself faced with stretching myself in venues that are uncomfortable only to discover a benefit on the other end. I love your last statement "Tap into your spring of inner strength and really live --- Starting Now!Thank you againCarlaI LOVE that you are stretching yourself in uncomfortable venues and discovering the benefit. My guess is, Carla, that there are many people who are benefiting from you taking the risk to be uncomfortable as well! Creating win/win scenarios. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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