Fear Is A Stumbling Block
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 Facebook group, a LinkedIn forum, online community, online encyclopedia or whatever. The tool you need for the fear you have is right 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: Alex Pete Patellis
21 Responses to “Fear Is A Stumbling Block”
Wow, that’s a cautionary tale right there, Caroline – thanks for sharing.
Part of me thinks Jobs and Wozniak should give him a little bit of their profits – he did help make the company, after all.
Wishful thinking, probably…
Well said! Too often people let fear rule them, rather than the other way around. I think we’re all guilty of it!
I know I’ve been guilty of it in the past, Matt. Thankfully I’ve had great support networks to get me past it, but it’s always something just hanging around with every new venture. But I’m determined it won’t hold me back.
In my limited experience, when I’m scared, it’s usually because I mistakenly believe that circumstances are more powerful than limitless me.
John Haydon recently posted…. What is your blogging narrative voice?
“Limitless me” – love it, fella, absolutely love it.
F.E.A.R.- False Evidence Appearing Real. When in fear, we base choices on the evidence we don’t have. The key is to overcome you inhibitions and move forward. You don’t need the lights, just need the ability to think clearly.
Although lights do help show the way if you’re scared of the dark
Nice acronym, by the way – cheers Nick!
Great thoughts Danny, I think it is important to experience the feeling of fear and then the feeling of overcoming it as well.
It serves as one of the best work-outs for the mind and increases the confidence level of doing things.Exactly, Akash – that feeling of adrenaline when you’re both facing and then conquering fear is one heck of a rush, and a great learning point.
In my experience, every time I am fearful of something, when I look back it’s because I’ve been on the edge of learning something new and different about myself, and of making some big change.
It’s not that I never feel fear – I feel it lots! – but as often as I can I try to see the exciting possibility it’s leading me to.
Christine Livingston recently posted…. What I Learned From My Broadband BlackoutAnd that’s the key separator, Christine – it’s seeing what lies ahead after the fear that can often help the overcoming part.
Danny-
How do you always know what to say… JUST… when I need to hear it???? It is FREAKY … or the UNIVERSE is at it AGAIN!!!
Thank you so much for being that connection for me… I am on the EDGE of something … and the only one holding me back is ME and I can not for the life of me figure out what/why I can’t get out of my own way… you hit it FEAR…
Facing it today HEAD-ON… see you on the other side… I <3 dannybrown!
- PBG
I bribed your cell phone provider to give me the inside scoop, Pamela…
Glad the post found resonance – look forward to seeing you over there.
Hey Danny! now this post sounds like a career professional / coach… but excellent advice and one I give most of my clients. Fear and the resulting depression that many job seekers and business owners have then is almost paralyzing. Babysteps is what I suggest at that point because big steps are too scary when fear takes over.
Julie Walraven | Resume Services recently posted…. Not a Magician!
You are so right.
Very recently i read this about Ron Wayne the co-founder of Apple we never hear about.
“
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_15214122?source=email . I sent the article to my co-founder of my current Start Up & this was his response, “His fear of failure trumps his desire for success.