Sometimes I think about what I would do if fear wasn’t getting in my way. And the way I would be living terrifies me.
Throughout the evolution of my life and Illuminated Mind, I realize that when I was doing great things, I was nearly always scared.
Doing things beyond your known powers creates a deep sense of uncertainty. What if it doesn’t work? is usually the dominant thought circling through my brain. In fact, I can’t remember a time where this hasn’t been the case.
Sometimes I would let the fear keep me from doing what I wanted. But in most cases, I took action anyway. And somewhere along the way I realized that most of my fears weren’t based on reality, or even trepidation based on what I’d experienced in the past.
I started to learn that I wasn’t very good at predicting when something bad would happen.
With all fears, we think there are potential negative repercussions. If we take action or move forward, something bad might happen. So we stall, or make up all sorts of reasons why we can’t do it now. There’s always someday, right? (It seems that we act as if we’ll live forever.)
You can always wait until you have more resources, more confidence, more certainty.
But what if none of those things are getting in your way? What if you could do what you want, right now and nothing bad happened?
It’s hard to consider that thought seriously.
Every time I’ve taken a leap of faith, a net appeared. These days, I try to remember that I’m not very good at predicting what will happen, so I try to just wait and see.
The “smart” part of me wants to analyze the best course of action and come up with lots of reasons why I should wait, plan, or stall. Sometimes I listen. But most of the time I try to listen to the foolish beginner in me that doesn’t know what is or isn’t possible. He seems naive and dense, but he figures it out as he goes along, and everything turns out okay.
I’ve also learned that it can be really helpful to have the support of others on your path to moving beyond fear. It’s easier to take action when everyone else is. Why not use positive social pressure to your advantage?
Move beyond fear
So I was really excited when I found out that my friend Cara was creating a course on moving beyond fear. And she asked me to help teach people about the right mindset to letting go of fear and doing what you want. I think it’s really simple, but I decided that it would be fun to be a part of this.
Today the Beyond Fear training program opens to 50 groundbreaking members. If you decide to put your stake in the ground, say goodbye to fear and join the course, I’m looking forward to seeing you inside.
I’m not sure fear ever really goes away. For me personally it’s a good indicator that I’m doing something important. However, I don’t think it has to keep us from doing what we want.
What do you think? Does fear ever go away?
In about 6 months, I’ll be leaving for Africa to teach for two years (if everything works out as planned.) It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, but now that it’s getting closer, I’m starting to get a little nervous. My life as I know it today will no longer exist, and I’ll have to create a new normal. Not only for myself, but for my girlfriend as well. It’s scary, but I still think it’s worth it.
@HundredGoals Years ago I got off a plane in Costa Rica with no plans and no idea what I was in for (and I didn’t speak Spanish). I met the locals and blended into their world and loved it. Within a couple weeks, tourists were stopping me to ask for directions and advice because they thought I was a local. The Ticos/locals are the most wonderful people!
Yes, you’ll create a new normal in Africa. Great kuddos to you and your girlfriend for taking this leap!! It will be one of the best experiences of your life and something you’ll definitely never forget. Go for it!
Ah, yes, fear. I’ve been trying to move beyond fear for years now – ever since I realized how much it was holding me back (and it was holding me back A LOT!). I can write about it and acknowledge it, yet even though I know it affects my life negatively, I can never completely get rid of it.
I don’t think fear ever will go away 100% for me or anyone else, but I also know that when you find yourself feeling fearful, it’s probably a sign that you’re headed in the right direction. Doing scary stuff is hard, but worth it!
Does fear ever go away? I say no. But it is completely within our grasp to walk through it. I was inspired this summer by Green Lantern, believe it or not. It portrays the battle of willpower vs fear in comic book style visualization form, and does a good job helping you to realize the polar opposites that those two forces are. Now, when I come across fear, or sense that fear is holding me back in some way, I remember that willpower is the force that I need to raise up to counteract it. Its unfortunate, but so many of us have great things to offer the world… things that will fill needs and gaps, and if we don’t put our willpower to work and allow fear to rule us, those voids will never be filled.
“What if you could do what you want right now and nothing bad happened?” I love that you wrote that question. It is such a simple thought and yet so many of us see it as being instantly unbelievable and cannot even entertain the concept. But I think we are wrong in our thinking. Thank you for your blog. I enjoy it.
Laurel
https://www.abundantempress.blogspot.com
Love the line, “I try to listen to the foolish beginner in me that doesn’t know what is or isn’t possible.” He/she is always there; thank you for the reminder to tune in!
Only the liars have no fear. The key to living an exciting, passionate life of possibility is to feel the fear and do the thing anyway.
Fear Is there in everyone, some more than others. Sometimes it is just the fear of fear!
I try to live everyday with doing one thing that makes me scared. I sometimes can find nothing because I am running and in routine. But I try. I teach my children that living everyday in this means will inspire you to want more out of life. Keep moving, keep trying…FEAR IS NOTHING! Trust me, I was one of those ones that feared fear! It is tough,,,but things that are important to you are worth the hard work!
Firstly thanks for tweeting and drawing attention to these posts. I only discovered your site a few months ago so it’s great to have them highlighted.
I can so relate to what you write.
I think if fear ever goes away then probably other emotions like happiness and sadness will go too.
You need to feel nervous to get the adrenaline pumping so you give a great performance.
And as with nerves it’s about the degree of fear and how you manage it so it doesn’t imprison you.
My 13 year old son plays football (soccer!) for a local team and sometimes fear of failing stops him from trying & giving 100%. It’s such a shame to see wasted potential.
I’d never thought of fear as ‘an indicator that I’m doing something important’ so I’m going to steal that for me and mention it to my son!!