Overcoming Fear
What are your fears? Take a moment to think about it. Do you have a phobia? Do you fear being alone or losing your job?
Far too many people allow fear to run or interfere with their life. If you have a strong fear of something, step back and evaluate it. In order to become the best person you can be you must overcome or control your fears. If not kept in check they will be a negative influence and hold you back. The general method of overcoming fear is to face that of which you are afraid.
I’ll use myself as an example. When I was young I was afraid of the dark. I would visualize criminals hiding in the shadows, waiting to hurt me. As I grew older I decided that I needed to eliminate the fear. I knew that it didn’t make any sense, yet I still felt the emotions when in many dark situations. I decided the only way to get rid of my fear was to face it. If I needed to go into a dark room I would do it, despite being afraid. I would tell myself how stupid the fear was and how there was no one waiting to hurt me. I saw instant results! While the fear wasn’t gone immediately, I had it in check and could deal with it. It wasn’t long before I managed to eliminate the fear.
First, you need to think about what you fear. What has caused you to fear it? Is it a valid reason? Does this reason outway the positives about it? Think about it in a logical manner. Next, put yourself in a controlled situation where you can face your fear without being overwhelmed. Look at the fear in context. For example, if you’re afraid of heights start by standing on a chair. That’s not high off the ground right? You haven’t even doubled your height. Next stand on a deck or porch near the railing. It’s not that high as compared to the roof of your house right? Continue moving to higher and higher objects, comparing them to even larger ones. When you feel the fear on the verge of overwhelming you stop. Evaluate the situation. Focus on rational thoughts, not on the fear. Think, don’t feel.
Of course, this is easier said than done. However, by repeating this process over and over most people can eliminate their fears. As “The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy” states, “Don’t Panic.”
