Are you ready to turn your fear into fuel? Here are three ways to turn fear into fuel. And ‘hello’ to patting yourself on the back for getting through that work presentation you’ve been fretting about, hopping on a plane, climbing a mountain, scuba diving. Whatever it is that you’ve been too scared to do!
Most of us have experienced fear so paralyzing that it stops you from taking chances in life. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 5.3 million Americans avoid social or personal situations because their fears are so crippling.
But what if you could take that breathless exhilaration. And turn it into an overwhelming excitement that propels you to meet challenges head-on? There’s even proof that changes in mixed emotional experience improves your well-being. So why not channel some of your angst into energy and passion. And knock a few things off your bucket list this summer!
1. BREATHE into it.
Have you always wanted to go skydiving, but immediately shot down the idea due to pangs of fear? Consciously or not, breathing deep into that nervous feeling can actually help you shift from fear to a nervous giddiness which will make you feel overcome with EXCITEMENT instead. Allow yourself to feel the ENERGY that requires you to bounce around in your chair, speak high and fast and smile like a crazy person with wild eyes and a heart that’s on FIRE! Indulge in it, feel the butterflies in your stomach and let out a good solid squeal of anticipation.
2. HOLD that space.
Continue to breathe into it and allow your body and mind to be overcome with excitement, wild eyes and enormous dreams. Let that passion take over, stay out of your head and speak/act from the heart. If your negative self talk tries to butt in, simply say thank you for sharing and reconnect with that fearful part of yourself. Take another deep breath, and keep that energy flowing!
3. ALLOW fear to be the powerful tool that it is.
If you want to supercharge your life, relationships and work, allow yourself to experience MORE fear. Most people work to avoid fearful situations at all costs, but avoidance leads to a life that lacks purpose, passion and fulfillment. Experiencing fear is a prerequisite to any type of positive change in your life! It could be the fear of having to learn how to use new exercise equipment when you’re getting in shape, or fear of having a child, getting married, switching careers or starting your own business. Instead of viewing any of these as a bad thing, start embracing the fear as the powerful tool that it is.
Take a deep breath, feel the fire and make amazing things happen!
