Fear is a villain that’s often found lurking in the back of our minds, and many of us are completely unaware of its existence! If left unchecked, fear will turn into a nemesis and hold us back from achieving success. Even the most superlative and accomplished individuals have things that they are afraid of. Many of these people appear to be fearless, however, that is not the case. These individuals have just accepted their fears and have learned to successfully manage them.
Humans are born with only two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Where do all other fears come from? These other fears are subconscious, learned beliefs. All fears have a use in the proper time and place. However, left unmanaged, these fears will often lead a person to develop a negative mentality, which can interfere with a person’s success in life.
Some of the most common fears that can influence personal and professional success are:
- Fear of needing guidance – Asking for help has been negatively portrayed as a sign of weakness. However, that is far from the truth. In fact, asking for help can be a sign of strength. It shows that you value the input of others and it takes confidence to admit that you do not have all the answers.
- Fear of being identified as a fraud – The popular expression “fake it ’til you make it” is often found true by the most successful people. More likely than not, they had a great idea, but no clue how to make it a reality. So, they learned on the job. They trust their own instincts and abilities while not worrying what other people think. They are not afraid to try and fail, when there is a chance to succeed as well.
- Fear of turning down an opportunity- Too many people have a fear that saying “no” will damage their careers. Always saying “yes” can do more harm than good to your career by leading a person to burn out. When approached with an opportunity it’s important to understand your limits so that you can achieve more in the long run.
The way to overcome your fears is by learning how to manage them properly. This video of Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, explains how to manage fear beautifully. Learn how to manage any fear that stands in your way and see the positive impact it will have in all areas of your life.
