“F.E.A.R. has two meanings—Forget Everything And Run OR Face Everything and Rise.
The choice is yours.”

To Listen CLICK HERE 

Fear can cause an adrenaline rush, which occurs when the body senses danger. There are some people who embrace this fear induced adrenaline feeling. These sensation-seekers, or adrenaline enthusiasts aren’t immune to fear, they just thrive on it.

When you experience strong emotions such as excitement, anger, or fear—your adrenal glands release adrenaline into the blood stream which causes a sequence of biological reactions in your body.

• It increases blood and oxygen flow to your muscles so you can run faster 

• It restricts blood flow to other areas of your body 

• It dilates your pupils so you can see things around you better

However, these reactions are only helpful when you are facing real physiological danger. They do not aid you when you are facing self-perceived dangers which truly do not result in physical harm.

External fear is the easiest to recognize and manage. An external fear is defined by fear or anxiety that is caused by an outside source.

An example of this would be a fear of heights, a fear of snakes, or a fear of the ocean.

When a person is faced with a situation that exposes them to an external fear, they can experience discomfort and anxiety (or an adrenaline rush).

Internal fears are usually associated with low levels of self-worth. People who experience anxiety from internal fears typically have low levels of self-confidence or self-esteem.

An example of an internal fear is doubting your capability to accomplish something or questioning your talents or value.

I remember having to give a presentation at a board meeting when I was 26. I ran to the bathroom before the meeting to throw up and could feel my heart beating so fast I thought I was having a heart attack.

I had an internal fear that I wasn’t going to do a good job, that my boss would judge me, and that I would forget my presentation—even though I was thoroughly prepared.

In order to overcome internal fears, it is important to build your confidence and self-esteem. Once you recognize your internal fears, you can start to build yourself up and face your anxieties head on.

This is not easy to do, since confronting your fear can produce a lot of initial anxiety. You will have to stay in the feared situation and stay with the heightened fear response until it begins to subside, which it eventually will—but it takes practice and time. Learn more about working with me HERE.   

Confronting your fears instead of backing down can bring about a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Every time you confront your fear, you gain power, and your anxiety loses strength. “I can tolerate it; it’s uncomfortable but NOT impossible”.

Squash Your Internal Fears

• Fear of failure: Afraid to try something new, afraid to step out of your comfort zone? Will Smith says, “Fail early, fail often, fail forward”. Failure has such a negative connotation, but failing at something is an opportunity to learn from your experiences and try again. Embrace failure. Missteps and roadblocks are inevitable. Learn and pivot.

• Fear of not being accepted: We fear being rejected; we fear not fitting in. Working on your relationship with yourself, loving yourself and being happy with your choices and who you are helps give you that confidence and self-esteem to say, “This is me and I’m amazing”. Not everyone will like you, that’s a part of life; but don’t change yourself to be accepted, be you!

• Fear of judgement: People will judge you, that’s life. Let them judge you! Be you and be proud! You can’t control other people, if you are happy with your choices and you are being authentic, dance like no one is watching! It’s your life, not theirs!

• Fear of the unknown: None of us can predict the future or see what life will look like in 5 years. Letting the fear of the unknown keep your senses heightened can be beneficial, but letting it consume you is unhealthy.

Fear can motivate you to be brave and try things you would never try, say things to your boss you never dreamed of, surf in the ocean, or move onto that next unknown chapter of your life.

Let fear keep you alert and safe. Let fear encourage you to try those things you were always too afraid to do or try. Let fear help you achieve things that you thought were impossible.

Don’t let fear rule you, don’t let it hold you back…let it be your guide.

Remember, You Got This! 

XOXO

If you would like to learn more about working with me, CLICK HERE.