Words of Wisdom: Tips For Getting Past Fear

Tips For Getting Past Fear

Jacob Sokol

Don’t try to eliminate fear.  Instead develop courage.

Even the people that we idealize and put on pedestals feel fear. Our friends, our bosses, and our biggest heroes are all included. All humans feel fear. Don’t focus on trying to not be afraid. Instead, cultivate the habit of taking action despite feeling the fear. Courage is a muscle so start by working it out with small steps. Use your courage muscles often and they will grow into some “big guns.” Did you know that Tiger Woods says the day he steps up to tee and isn’t nervous is the day he stops playing golf?  Let’s not beat ourselves up or think that we’re a lesser species just because we have normal human emotions. Instead, let’s focus on developing the courage to move forward in the face of fear.

Become comfortable feeling uncomfortable.

Our lives are limited within the confines of our “comfort zone.” When we get out of our comfort zone, and become uncomfortable, we win life. It is interesting to know that when we step out of our comfort zones they grow.  By being uncomfortable momentarily, we own our fear, and in the future, the things that scared us aren’t so intimidating anymore. So let’s make it a game to become comfortable being uncomfortable.

Cure worry by taking action.

Here’s a fun statistic: 90% of worrying never comes true. Worry is worthless. Sure it seems important but it is ridiculously impractical. There is one way to cure worry and that’s simple…take action. In order to overcome fear, you’ll have to face it. The good news is that your fear is never as scary as it seems. Action builds confidence and confidence kills fears.

When you feel fear—breathe.

We cannot over emphasize how valuable breathing is. Take some air and bring it deep down into your belly. Suck on it like a straw. Hold it for two seconds. Then blow the air all of the way out, literally like it’s your birthday and you’re blowing out the cake candles. Do this a couple of times and it will slow down your heart and your mind.

The key is this: don’t objectify that nervousness as an obstacle. Instead, use that nervous energy as fuel toward overcoming your fear.

"Do the one thing you fear and the death of fear is certain."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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WOW is designed to motivate and inspire, promote self-discovery and aid in continued personal development. Each column will present a powerful quote, metaphor, short parable or thought-provoking question, sourced and selected by experts in the personal development field.