Tuesday week, I had a very productive day. I felt completely energized. I was literally walking around with a bounce in my step.
The next day was the complete opposite.
I was lethargic and demotivated. I felt so tired, I had a short nap in the afternoon. I went to bed that evening, feeling like I had wasted my day. Consequently, I was angry and frustrated with myself.
At first, I found the difference between the two days baffling. Whilst out walking (a wonderful way to help clear the head), I realized what had caused the difference.
Tuesday, I tackled a fear that had been nagging at me.
To be honest, I’d been avoiding doing a particular task.
Of course, I had a good excuse (or two). In my mind, my excuses were completely valid. It’s not like I was sitting around reading Facebook all day. I was working hard. I was putting in the hours.
What could possibly be wrong with that?
Eventually, I was forced to admit to myself that I was avoiding doing the work out of pure fear.
Once I put the fear aside and got stuck into the task, I felt like I have achieved something.
Verdict: Overcoming fear feels great
The second day I was bogged down in fear.
I started doubting one of the projects I was working on. I realized I was avoiding a major fear – one that would have a profound effect on my business going forward. A fear that would determine whether I would sink or swim as a writer and blogger.
The second day, I let my fear overcome me. I let it get the better of me. I let it win – dammit!
Verdict: Letting fear overcome you feels crap
Once I became aware of what I was doing – I took action.
As I mentioned in my earlier post on fear, it’s not something you deal with once and then presto you have the magic pill forever. Believe me, some days I wish it worked that way.
Fear is something you get better at smashing through, the more you take the appropriate action.
Proving to yourself that the fear is unfounded or that with work and courage you can power through it, is the best way of kicking fear to the curb.
The truth is when you start something new or take risks – you have to face fear all of the time. At the moment, in one form or another, I have to face my fears head on every day.
How you deal with your fear is the key.
Letting fear overwhelm you or letting fear win will make you feel like you’re not being true to yourself. It might even feel like something is missing in your life.
Rising above your fear and taking action will leave you feeling fantastic.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends. You never know who might be trying to power through a fear today!