There’s a lot of fear at the minute. Fear of knowing is joining fear of the unknown as a staple in our lives.
Knowing the economy sucks leading to a future unknown.
Knowing we can’t stand around but not knowing what first steps to take.
Knowing you want to try something new but so many unknown things to learn.
But you know, fear is a good thing. Fear is what spurns us to experiment. Fear is what leads us to overcoming hurdles and reaching far higher plateaus on the other side. In short, fear is our friend.
It’s right to be afraid. That’s common sense. We know that we’re not in the greatest of times – anyone who says otherwise isn’t accepting the facts. But when we accept that truth and face the fear it brings, we can work on it.
We can use the fear.
You may have been laid off. You might be in a job where there are planned redundancies. You might run your own business where clients are shrinking. You might have more time on your hands now than you did three months ago, six months ago. Use it.
Connect that time with your fear. Make yourself a deal that you’ll become master of your own destiny. Use the time to learn new skill sets, to meet new people, to widen your community of knowledge and prospects.
Brush up on your core strengths and add to them. Use the tools around you to see what people are looking for, what businesses are looking for. We have never had so much free information at our fingertips – use it.
The best resource tool on the planet is one mouse-click away. It doesn’t matter if it’s Google, Twitter, a forum, Ning community, online encyclopedia or whatever. The tool you need for the fear you have is there in front of you. All you need to do is find it.
Fear is a stumbling block. But we only stumble if we’re in the dark. Isn’t it time we switched the lights on?
photo credit: kevindooley
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Hi Danny,
great post! It is truly a time of amazing opportunities and if we use it, as you said, to become masters of our own destiny who knows, maybe that fear turns right into excitement!
When you think of all the innovations that have happened, the majority have sprung from those who’ve been able to free their mind and time because of what might be seen as a bad situation. Maybe we’ll look back in 5-10 years time and see this as an age of innovation too?
Twitter: johnhaydon
Danny,
Thank you! We all need reminders – every last one of us.
John
Yes! This is exactly what I am doing….Laid off on Monday and feel I can NOW get my juice into my coaching full time instead of a part time gig. The energy of all this change is a bit spiky but it sure keeps me moving!
Mahalo for sharing your thoughts and call to action to use our resources. I’m off to RT John Haydons tweet re this post right now! Woo Hoo!
With loving kindness, Gina
Sorry to hear about your lay-off, Gina. Here’s to deserved success with your new coaching career – sometimes the bad sparks are what we need to let us focus on the bright ones. Good luck!
Thanks for the encouraging post Danny. When I was reading, I immediately thought of a John Mayer quote that fits quite well – “Fear is a friend that’s misunderstood.”
Twitter: HennArtOnline
“Fear is only a flickering light bulb that will guide us through the darkness!” ~Henie~
If you ain’t fearin’ you ain’t livin’!
I’m not some adrenaline junkie that seeks these kinds of situations but if things are just on cruise control and there is nothing in doubt then you are probably stale. Once again, don’t go get a motorcycle and go 130 mph without a helmet to conquer the fear or show you have no fear. There’s fear then there’s stupidity. But welcome the fear, examine its source then move through it.
Many of us have mechanisms to do this with mine being my faith. Whatever you use, face fear armed with your best and the outcome will be the best it can be.
Sometimes faith is all we have fella, in all its shapes and sizes.
Right said, the best way to deal with the fear is to accept its existence and then fight it. Nice read.
I loved your comment Danny that “Maybe we’ll look back in 5-10 years time and see this as an age of innovation too?” We can turn a big breakdown into a bigger breakthrough if we are willing to face our fear and take responsibility for and action to create the future we want.
Your post made me think of this quote: “True courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.”–Unknown
I think if we realize that the unknown, uncertainty and change are the only constants in life than we will stop being fearful. Accept what happens and then make a plan to move forward.
If two years ago, someone had told me about all the changes that would occur in my life, I would have laughed and thought it was ridiculous. But I got upset, made a plan and then got through it. I believe that the adversity has made me a stronger and more confident person.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it Kim? Sometimes it’s what makes me wonder about people saying they’d change things in their lives if they had a second chance. If it’s these things (good and bad) that make us who we are, isn’t it being counter-active if we wish them to change?