Fear: friend or foe?

Fear is our primary reason for the decisions we make. It’s built into us as a survival mechanism. When we dig into why we are where we are in life, you would likely find fear as the primary-not necessarily the only-driver for our position in life. Whether it’s the relationship where in[or not in], the job we have, where we reside-both the actual building and geographic location, how we parent, avoidance of less than ideal situations. Fear is the underlying driver and correctly so. It’s good.

It also needs to be checked. While fear is a normal and useful emotion, like anything else it has it limits. Recognize it [name it to tame it], realize it’s highlighting what could go wrong but then flip the script on it. Play devil’s advocate with it. What could things look like if they go right? What if things turn out better than expected? If you never take the risk, what reward will come your way?

Here’s an exercise: forecast future regret. Flash forward 3, 5, 7 years and ask yourself: ‘when I look back, what will I regret most?’

Not taking the risk, keeping the status quo and never testing my capabilities or; taking the risk [whether successful or not] and daring to be brave!