“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” This quote by Nelson Mandela speaks volumes and into the hearts of many people struggling to establish themselves as a noticeable force in the world. Fear has hindered many people in the past and has played a major role in decision-making processes. Further, in numerous occasions through media, religious houses, schools, music, and various other situations, people are repeatedly injected with doses of information that breeds fear. Whereas, some fears are natural, the dissemination of some information only heightens emotions and increases the level of fear, incapacitating people and rendering them slaves to their own fears. I do not want that for you, and I imagine that you do not want that for yourself. Therefore, breaking free from the chains of faulty thinking and baseless fear dramas is a battle worth taking on, and the first casualty of understanding fear is fear itself.
What is fear? Fear is a feeling of dread, apprehension, or distress sparked by a perceived risk or impending danger, pain, evil not necessarily based in reality. A person beset with fear usually experiences overwhelming concern or anxiety.
So, if you are plagued with fears that are haunting you, rendering you virtually ineffective, then it is time you expose, face and overcome them now. In your quest to overcome challenges and achieve success in your life, eliminating limiting belief systems and unnecessary fear will most definitely make a difference in your outcome. When you take a logical approach and analyze your fears, and look at things non-emotionally and objectively, you may find that many of your fears may be baseless and simply not necessary. I know this may be easier said than done, yet know that it can be done. It is a matter of taking the necessary steps to deal with them.
The Process for Dealing With Fear:
Step 1: Admit and recognize that you have fears
Step 2: Identify and list your fears
Step 3: Assess whether or not the fears you have are reasonable
Step 4: Implement strategies and techniques to overcome them
Common Fears People Have:
• Animals
• Authority figures
• Darkness
• Death
• Events
• Feelings about oneself
• Objects
• Other people
• Places
• Public speaking
• Taking risks
• Success
The Consequences of Fear:
• Immobilized decision-making
• Stifled motivation
• Self-destructive behavior
• Roadblocks to change and growth
• Repeated fear patterns
• Unhealthy life-style
• Insecurity
• Unwillingness to venture out into the world
• Reclusiveness and introversion
• Becoming homebound
• Co-dependency
Common Causes of Fear:
• Memories of traumatic experiences
• Guilt (real or imagined)
• Lack of information or knowledge
• Lack of spirituality
• Negative programming
• Psychic attacks
• Low Self-esteem and/or self-worth
5 Steps to Overcoming Fear:
Step 1: List all fears in a journal
Step 2: Examine root causes of your fears
Step 3: Assess fears (are they necessary)
Step 4: Implement strategies to overcome fears
Step 5: Change responses and behaviors
8 Strategies for Overcoming Fear:
1. Complete the five steps to overcoming fear
2. Refute irrational beliefs
3. Perform meditation and affirmations
4. Engage in positive programming and self-hypnosis
5. Become sensitized to the stimuli of the feared object or event
6. Build knowledge, information, experience base
7. Build a stronger spiritual base
8. Let go of the fear
How to Stop Fear in its Tracks:
• Recognize a higher power source
• Use breathing and relaxation techniques
• Meditate
• Say “STOP!” aloud when having fearful thoughts
• Use critical and rational thinking to combat unwarranted fears
• Be courageous to take smart risks
© 2011 – 2013, Atiya. All rights reserved.
Atiya is the author of From Ordinary to Extraordinary and founder of The Marriage Tree. Over the past 20 years, she has dedicated her life to honing her craft and, indeed, her calling – to empower, build and maximize human potential by affecting profound transformation in people’s attitudes, perspectives and behaviors.
