Embracing and Mastering Your Fears

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, fear can either be a paralyzing force or a powerful catalyst for growth.

I found a quite interesting quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, urging entrepreneurs to "do one thing every day that scares you."

Let's delve deeper into the profound wisdom behind this advice.

Understanding Fear:

Fear is an innate aspect of the human experience, and entrepreneurs are not exempt.

However, true courage lies in the ability to act despite fear, understanding that success often resides beyond our comfort zones.

Two formidable foes—fear of rejection and fear of failure—are particularly common in the entrepreneurial journey.

The Psychology of Fear:

Our subconscious minds, driven by past experiences and beliefs, trigger fear as a self-protective mechanism. Recognizing fear as a primitive instinctive response allows entrepreneurs to navigate its intricacies. You have the prerogative to deliberately override these primitive instinctive responses of the subconscious with deliberate rational control from your conscious mind.

Instead of succumbing to these instinctive reactions, entrepreneurs can actively desensitize their fear responses.

Have you ever noticed that what is new and unfamiliar usually comes with some trepidation and discomfort, but as we face them head on and go through the experience, it actually seems less fearful every time?

I remember when I was much younger and started out playing basketball. Though I was a relatively tall child, I remember the basketball rim always looked frightfully far away. The wonder move every young basketballer wanted to master in those days was the slam dunk. Before trying out the dunk for the first time, I remember the negative mental noise in my head with fearful thoughts like

“It’s too high up!”

“I’ll never be able to jump that high!”

“I’ll most likely make a fool of myself” and a lot of other mental nonsense

I believe a number of us understand this feeling when we stand at the edge of the uncharted regions of experience that initially seem larger than us,

The response is only natural, but it is our responsibility to confront and take charge of the conversation going on in our heads to correct it with a more empowering narrative.

For instance, in this example the narrative could be

“I can do this if I am deliberate enough to practice it”.

“This definitely is not impossible. I am not the first human on the planet to do a slam dunk, many young kids who don’t have two heads have done a slam dunk before me and the heavens did not fall!”

The truth is we are more capable than we give ourselves credit for, but the mind must lead and agree with this verdict.

Dealing with fear must involve a deliberate confronting of the negative mental narrative and the creation of an overriding positive narrative.

Desensitizing Fear Through Action:

Deliberate action is a powerful antidote to fear. By consciously engaging in those positive actions or calculated risks that elicit fear, entrepreneurs can override their subconscious fear responses.

This strategic approach conditions the mind to perceive challenges as less threatening over time. It's a process of rewiring the subconscious to understand that the perceived risks are not as insurmountable as initially thought.

Turn Fear into Fun:

A delightful twist in overcoming fear lies in transforming it into an enjoyable pursuit. It’s a great practice to deliberately celebrate each step taken toward facing fears.

Also deliberately finding humor in the face of challenges not only lightens the emotional burden but also shifts the perspective from dread to excitement and amusement.

Entrepreneurs can even playfully embrace their missteps, turning setbacks into opportunities for laughter and personal growth.

Build a Daily Culture of Courage:

The path to mastering fear involves consistent, intentional action. Cultivate a daily routine of facing your fears head-on rather than avoidance.

By choosing activities that align with your goals even though they induce discomfort, you will gradually build resilience.

This commitment to courage becomes a transformative force, shaping entrepreneurs into unstoppable forces in their respective fields.

Conclusion:

In the entrepreneurial realm, fear is not a weakness but a potent tool for personal and professional evolution. True courage is actually not the absence of fear, but the capacity to do the needful in spite of fear.

These insights should provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs to navigate the terrain of fear, emerging victorious on the other side.

By understanding the psychology behind fear, taking deliberate actions, finding joy in challenges, and fostering a daily culture of courage, entrepreneurs can unlock their true potential and become unstoppable in their pursuit of success.

So, go out there, face your fears, and let the journey to greatness begin!