Fear's Favorite Food

Facing fear is something we have all had to deal with. The fear to do ... The fear not to do ... The fear of success ... The fear of failure ... We all face different fears in our life. Yet there are ways in which we either increase or diminish our fears. We don't have to let them control us but this can very much be the case. Often we find that, if we are not careful, we may end up strengthening the very things are afraid of.

A while back, I listened to an audiobook by Grant Cardone, the real estate investor. The book is called, The 10X Rule and is an awesome take on how we can drastically increase productivity in every area of our lives. It really hyped me up about the things that I can accomplish. One of the chapters had a segment on fear. What it taught me is that fear loves TIME.

We know how fear can really eat us up inside. When we don't keep a lid on it, it can seep into us like venom or poison eating us up from the inside out. However, there are things that we do to encourage fear. In a matter of speaking, we are feeding fear. One of the ways in which we do this is by giving it time. The longer we are afraid of something, and the more we give it time by not doing it or avoiding it, we make it that much stronger. We actually are feeding our fears by not taking action. Sometimes the hardest thing to do in these moments is the opposite—to instead take the action as soon as possible. If you get a feeling that you need to be doing something, then usually that is the time to be doing it.

The more we wait to take action, the more fear creeps up and the stronger it will become. There was actually another book I read as well by Susan Jeffers called, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Do you know the difference between successful and unsuccessful people? We are actually more alike than we a different. We look at successful people and see all the achievements they have made over the years. We envy them and even put them on a pedestal as if to say they're superhuman. Deep down they have the same qualities, fears, and feelings as we do. They're still human beings who have everyday worries and struggles. The one difference that successful people have versus unsuccessful people is that they feel the fear and do it anyway. They have simply chosen to commit regardless of their emotions.

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

In her book, Susan Jeffers laid out five "Fear Truths."

1. The fear will never go away as long as I continue to grow.

As long as we continue to expand our minds, and get comfortable being uncomfortable, that fear is not going anywhere. It's just not. Don't expect it to be suddenly gone one day. Of course, it may eventually get to a level where you're able to manage it through action, but it will not completely go away as long as you are growing yourself. Remember, "the turtle makes progress when its neck is out." That means the only way to move forward is by sticking your own neck out.

2. The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it.

This concept is simple but not easy. You've got to just go and get it done. It is the difference between people who get fit and stay in the gym versus the people who make resolutions and quit after two months. It's not about falling down, it's about getting back up.

3. The only way to feel better about myself is to go out and do it.

Once again, taking action is a surefire way to keep tabs on fear. We feel better when we do better. We feel better when we eat better. We feel better when we make better decisions. Decisions that grow us instead of keep us down.

4. Not only am I going to experience fear whenever I'm on unfamiliar territory, so is everyone else.

You are not alone in this world. There are many others feeling the same way you do. Facing your fear can be seen as a superhuman ability. We all have it within us to use it.

5. Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness.

We can actually learn to be helpless. We have to push through before our fears become monstrous. Would you rather have the pain of discipline or the pain of regret? Often the pain of regret and that feeling of helplessness is more frightening than just pushing through the fear in front of you. So just forge ahead and do it. Always remember that action cures fear. If you ever want a remedy for the fear, instead of feeding it time, take action.

Fear does not want you to take action, and that's why it robs you of your time. It robs you of your energy and robs you of your mind. Once you start moving, you will rob fear itself. Take away fear's greatest power over you and take action today!

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