Written by Natalie Moncrief
By definition, FEAR is “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Alternatively, COURAGE is defined as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”
Although understanding why we are afraid can be helpful in guiding how we approach our fears (Did our fear develop from a previous negative experience? Have we succumbed to a hive mind mentality that something isn’t safe or worth the risk or work? Are we afraid of failure?), understanding the consequences of not overcoming our fears may be even more helpful.
Many times we stand in our own way. The fears we don’t face become our limits. We don’t know what we’re capable of unless we try, and overcoming fear is the quickest way to gain self-confidence. Our largest fear may very well carry our greatest growth. Fear is temporary…regret is forever.
Fear comes in all shapes and sizes, but fear of failure is generally one-size-fits-all as it is one of the most common fears. If we view failure as an opportunity to begin again, more intelligently, then the experience shifts from being a dead end to being a learning experience…and in this way we never really lose. There is a resilience that develops within us when we attempt something with intentional positivity and still fail. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try again. “Try again, fail again, fail better.” ~Samuel Beckett
What is holding you back from achieving your goals? Whether it’s kickstarting healthy eating habits, learning a new skill in the gym, or signing up for that first half marathon…if fear is threatening your opportunity for growth then face it head on. Sometimes you can feel defeated by simply not trying…and by not trying there is definitely nothing gained. What’s the worst that could happen if you do try? Failure? If the worst that could happen is failure, at least you can walk away knowing a little something more about yourself and with your head held high knowing you were afraid but did it anyway. “What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. JUST DO IT and eventually the confidence will follow.” ~Carrie Fisher
Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision. Being courageous isn’t the absence of fear…it’s having that fear but finding a way through it. “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” ~Jack Canfield