“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure...”
-Marianne Williamson
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
Iyanla Vanzant discusses fear and points out that we don’t always recognize we are afraid.
…we allow fear to stop us in our tracks. We find excuses and rationalizations. We create responsibilities, true and false, we must tend to before we can move forward. We create challenges and obstacles so real in our minds that they manifest in our lives.
What resonates with you? Think about Vanzant's words...
fear /noun/
an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief, anticipation, or awareness that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
fear /verb/
be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.
Vanzant poses these questions:
What are our excuses?
Who or what is stopping us?
How many times do we talk ourselves out of what we say we really want?
What are we afraid of?
Lifehack.org defines fear this way: false evidence appearing real Take a look at theses strategies to help you overcome those fears that may be getting in your way.
How to Overcome Fear and Find Success: (lifehack.org)
1. Identify Your Fears Through Writing: When you write down your fears on paper and actually question them, it forces you to analyze why you are afraid.
2. Practice Gratitude: it’s difficult to experience fear and gratitude at the same time. They are literally on opposite ends of the continuum of the human experience. The act of being fearful is a future-oriented process, while gratitude is a present-oriented one. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their physical and mental health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
3. Release Control: Fear results in controlling behavior, and when this behavior doesn’t give us the results we’re seeking, it further intensifies our fears. In your attempt to control fear, you actually become a victim of it. The only way that we can move past needing to be in control is to accept that it is not always up to us.
4. Recite Positive Affirmations: Using positive affirmations to help challenge your fears can help retrain your brain and have your fears reframed as powerful statements. Instead of saying “I am afraid of doing this because I might fail,” look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I am prepared for this, I am ready, and I will not fail.”
5. Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You: It can be something small. All that matters is that you take action. Make it a habit to get comfortable being uncomfortable. When you condition yourself to do something every day that scares you, your fear fades away, and your courage grows.
If you do not have what you say you really want, perhaps it is time to face your fears.
Today’s Challenge: Acknowledge your fears. Ask yourself the following: (From Iyanla Vanzant's Acts of Faith)
What is your deepest hidden fear? Take a deep dive... sit with this question as long as it takes to discover an answer...
How is it holding you back? Be honest with yourself...
You can't change what you don’t acknowledge.
“The future rewards those who press on.”-Barack Obama
Now, what’s your plan...What are you willing to do?
Don’t miss your opportunity. Be intentional. Encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#keeprising, #gratitude, #reach, #stretch, #honoryourself, #faceyourfears, #learnandgrow, #selfawareness, #selfimprovement, #selfcompassion, #faith, #believe, #ittakescourage, #focus, #shift, #trustyourself, #dothework, #shareyourgifts, #releaseyourpower, #knowyourworth, #leadbyexample, #justdoit, #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment, #letsgo
References:
How to Overcome Fear and Find Success (The Ultimate Guide)
Vanzant, Iyanla; Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color. Atria, New York, NY 2020.
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