12 Tips for Pushing Past Fear

Fear if allowed to dominate, holds us back and paralyzes us from action. If fear warns us of a legitimate threat, it’s our friend. But if fear is unfounded in reality and comes as an emotional disturber of the peace, it’s a different story.

What exactly is fear?

FEAR – noun

• • a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined
• • concern or anxiety (Source: dictionary.com)

Some of our concerns and future possibilities are imagined but some are very real. Whether fear comes upon you through the course of your day or wakes you up in the middle of the night, these “distressing emotions” can be quite troubling.

Fear has been surfacing in the middle of the night for me lately. As I think about this unwelcome addition to an otherwise good night’s sleep, I’ve been asking a few questions:

• Where is this fear coming from?
• Is my fear real or imagined?
• How do I dial back the fear and push forward to a place of peace?
• How do I inspire courage within myself in the face of these fears?
• What has worked in the past to deal successfully with fear?

The truth is, you can’t eliminate fear from your life nor do you want to (since given the right situation, fear helps us prepare for what’s coming). What you do want is inner growth so you are better able to push back fear and step into a place of courage.

Courage is not the absence of fear —
it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.
(Nelson Mandela)

Top 10 fears people experience (click here for an article describing these fears)

10.  Losing your freedom
9.   The unknown
8.   Pain
7.   Disappointment
6.   Misery
5.   Loneliness
4.   Ridicule
3.   Rejection
2.   Death
1.   Failure

In my current recovery journey, I resonate with a few of these fears especially in light of another very painful surgery coming up in three weeks. I’m fearing the pain, the unknown and losing my independence (freedom) once again.

What am I doing to push back the fear and press on in life and in the work I find meaningful and part of my purpose?  Here are a few ways I’m learning to live courageously in the face of fear.

12 Tips for Pushing Back Fear  

[1] Reframe – ask yourself, “If I don’t face this fear, what will it cost me?”

[2] Regroup – ask yourself, “What am I even more afraid of than not taking action?”

[3] Recollect – read stories of courageous people who overcame their fears

[4] Rehearse – if you’ve overcome fear in the past, remind yourself how you did it

[5] Reactivate – get into motion (i.e., walk, ride a bike) and change your emotional state

[6] Reflect – journal your fears, ponder next steps, meditate, pray, be grateful

[7] Refuel – read and fill your mind with hopeful thoughts; take a nap

[8] Re-educate – replace outdated thinking patterns with new ideas and concepts

[9] Relax – enjoy nature, listen to great music, do something fun

[10] Recharge – have coffee or lunch with a courageous friend

[11] Realign – get in touch with your WHY in life

[12] Release – say no to F.E.A.R. if it’s False Evidence Appearing Real

No one likes to deal with distressing emotions aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain – whether the threat is real or imagined. The truth is, if you don’t deal with your fear, it will paralyze you from truly living and steal the life you could have.

Now go and face your fear courageously!

What fear is waking you up at night?
What two things can you do to take away fear’s grip on your life?

Image source: Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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