Discover the trick to courage with a “Fear Less” strategy. Learn how not being fearless, but fearing less, transforms challenges into growth.
Ever been ambushed by that heart-thudding, clammy-palms sensation just before stepping into something frightening?
Oh, I’ve been there too.
Perhaps it’s speaking in public, attempting a new venture, or even just trying out a new hairstyle.
But what if I told you there’s a trick to becoming braver even in the face of fear?
The secret to mastering courage?
Well.. it isn’t about eradicating all fear. It’s about taming it just a little. Meaning? Instead of aiming to be totally “fearless”… you should simply strive to “fear less”!
My philosophy about “fearing less” instead of becoming “fearless” is in sync with a research based bravery approach: “Exposure Therapy.”
Exposure therapy is sort of like dipping your toes into the waters of your fear, a little at a time.
For example: If you’re afraid of spiders, you might starting by watching videos about them. Then progressing to being in the same room with one in a glass jar. And then eventually letting one crawl on your hand.
It’s all about taking small baby steps forward!
This Exposure Therapy Technique is recommended by many experts to help their clients to face and reduce their phobias, by gradually exposing them to their fears in a controlled manner.
The magic behind it? The more you face something, step by tiny step, the less scary it becomes.
See where I’m going with this?
My philosophy about trying to “fear less” – instead of becoming “fearless” – is quite in line with Exposure Therapy.
Basically, instead of trying to block out fear (which, let’s be real, isn’t always easy or practical), you slowly and confidently tackle it, reducing its power over you… bit by bit.
In this never-ending quest for a “fearless” existence, we often overlook a crucial truth.
It’s not the absence of fear that we should aim for.
Instead we should simply aim to transform fear a little bit at a time.
I’m sharing about this philosophy because I am a bestselling personal development author and leading Behavioral Change Expert with about 2 million books sold globally.
I love sharing insights and strategies to help people and companies to work at their peak potential. So I put together this article about a realistic way to become braver!
Over the years, coaching numerous entrepreneurs and executives, I’ve observed that successful people don’t experience zero fear. Instead, they’ve mastered the art of diminishing fear’s intensity just enough to keep moving forward – even when their knees are trembling and their voice is quaking.
Sound like a challenge? Fear not (yes, pun intended). Here are some actionable steps.
Deep Dive: Begin by redefining fear. Instead of viewing it as this colossal, menacing shadow, consider it a mentor guiding you towards personal growth.
Actionable Steps: Every time you’re faced with a fearful situation, jot down your feelings in a “Fear Diary.” Over time, review your entries and you’ll likely notice patterns, triggers, and most importantly, a decreasing intensity.
Deep Dive: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is courage. Confronting fear head-on can be overwhelming, so start with manageable chunks.
Actionable Steps: Create a “Fear Ladder.” At the bottom rung, place the least scary version of your fear, and on the top rung, the most intimidating one. Slowly, climb this ladder, ensuring you’re comfortable at each step before moving to the next.
Deep Dive: Our brains are wired in a way where vividly imagining a successful scenario can pave the way for its actual execution.
Actionable Steps: Dedicate 5 minutes daily to visualize yourself conquering a particular fear. Feel the emotions, hear the sounds, and over time, this mental rehearsal can significantly reduce anxiety.
Deep Dive: Fear often stems from the dread of making mistakes that will make us unhappy.
But errors? They’re just feedback, not setbacks.
Actionable Steps: Adopt a “Fail Forward” philosophy.
Each time you make a mistake, instead of wallowing, ask yourself, “What can this teach me?”
Over time, this will not only reduce fear but also accelerate growth.
Deep Dive: Sometimes our own brain is our worst enemy, telling us all the ways things can go wrong. But what if we rewrite that story?
Actionable Steps: When you start thinking, “I’ll mess up,” challenge that thought with positive self talk. Tell yourself “I am strong and smart and can do brave, new things.”
Deep Dive: Ever notice how when you’re really into a song or movie, you forget everything else? That’s being in the moment.
Actionable Steps: When you’re scared, focus on right now, not the “what-ifs.” Breathe, notice your surroundings, and remember, you’ve got this.
Deep Dive: Ever felt amazing after a dance-off in your living room? That’s because moving our bodies makes us feel good.
Actionable Steps: If you’re feeling unsure or scared, do something physical – take a walk, dance, or even just stretch. It can boost your mood and confidence!
Deep Dive: Having a supportive community acts as a safety net. They can offer encouragement, share their experiences, and give that gentle nudge when you hesitate. Plus watching someone else do something brave makes you think, “If they can do it, so can I!”
Actionable Steps: Surround yourself with people who lift you up and show you bravery in action. Sometimes, just knowing someone’s got your back can give you the courage you need. Consider joining groups, both online and offline, related to your specific fears. Share your journey, listen to others, and remember: strength often comes in numbers.
So, the next time you want to try something a bit risky, unfamiliar, and scary… don’t try to become “fearless.” Simply try to “fear less.” By progressively lowering your fear, you pave the way to genuine courage.
If this “fear less fear” concept resonates with you, and you’re eager to delve deeper, consider joining me for 1-on-1 coaching – HERE. I’d love to empower you to navigate life’s twists and turns with wisdom and sprinkles of feisty courage.
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