How to make friends with fear

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." Franklin D Roosevelt.

Rather than viewing fear as an emotion to be avoided at all costs, get to know it better so you can be better prepared to deal with the many disguises it can appear in. By applying one or all of the tips given below you can start to see how you can become more empowered when you make friends with fear.

Resisting fear is futile

I am always amazed at how seldom we admit to being scared. Resisting fear may seem like a natural response but it takes up an enormous amount of energy which could be spent on dreaming and designing your new career.

Name it - so it loses its power

Fear rather than inspiration will continue to have a lot of power over your career decisions unless you start to get specific about your fears.

Ask yourself: What am I afraid of losing? And if I do, what assumptions am I making about this loss?

You will find that you can laugh off some fears and others may act as a guide to make your career change plans more robust.

Apply the "so what" principle

The next time someone asks you whether it is scary changing career, simply reply "yes, and?" Start to treat fear like a friend who pops up when you are embarking on exciting changes in your life and just wants to check you have your bases covered. You can learn to see fear as a sign that you are hungry for a new career rather than a sign of pending disaster.

Help is always at hand

There is an enormous relief that comes from admitting you are afraid. A lot of the tension melts away. It also makes you very human and real. Help often comes from unexpected places when you are willing to be vulnerable and honest about how you feel.

Keep active!

Fear is like a fungus. It likes dark lonely places. So going for walks in the park, seeing friends and swimming are all activities which can keep fear to a manageable level. It may also provide you with inspiration to deal with some of the genuine challenges that may have triggered the fear in the first place.

Calm the mind

Fear loves an overactive mind. Your negative thoughts can multiply very quickly and put a dampener on any progress you may be making in shifting career. There are many ways you can easily relax the mind: having a head massage, walking, listening to great music or downloading my relaxation podcast are just a few suggestions.

Act anyway

Do not use fear as an excuse not to act. Even if your initial steps are clumsy and ill-conceived this is almost always better than stagnating in a swamp of fear. The biggest misconception is that fear is a legitimate reason not to act. It isn't!

by Martha Cuffy, CoachingChoice