It’s about time we do something about our real enemy
I would like to talk to you about a subject matter that should be of great concern to all of us.
In my opinion it poses a significant barrier to our growth, and advancement
It stops us from fulfilling our highest potential, and make a difference in this world.
If you don’t confront your fear now, you will move from fear of taking action to fear of regret
You might be asking yourself why you should be interested in this. Here’s why. One of the most common regrets at the end our lives is neglecting the things that brings us joy and fulfillment due to our fears.
Whilst fear is a state of emotion, believing in the fear, amplifies, and transforms that feeling to your reality. When you cave in to fear, it becomes the dominant force that rules your live, and dictates your action.
It is not your fault that you are gripped by fear. Let us look at one of the reasons why you may be overcome by fear.
If our brain perceives a threat, it becomes fearful of that threat. That’s the default state. Because one of its vital functions is to protect, and keep you safe. Take Public speaking for example, one of the most common fears that people grapple with. What terrifies you from putting yourself in that position, even though, you have something of immense value to say, is because you are afraid of making a mistake. Visualizing all the things that would go wrong, and how you would embarrass yourself. And how that would shape peoples opinion about you.
According to Nelson Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
The most effective weapon to disarm fear is to take action? The moment you confront your fear, you are not only standing up to your fear, but you are reducing its intensity. When you go back to it, your brain picks signals that it is familiar with that environment.
You have got nothing to lose, but everything to gain. If you realize you have made a mistake, you learn from it and move on.You have learnt from that experience, and are gradually overcoming your fear. So you have killed, two birds with one stone.
Anybody who knows me can testify to the fact that the fear of Public Speaking was one of my top ranking. I was petrified of anything related to Speaking in public and totally shy to express myself in front of other people. Gradually quell my fear by taking small steps like putting my hand up to participate in discussions. Followed by big steps like giving the vote the thanks at a family program in front of a large crowd.
Then took bold actions like accepting to speak at a passing out ceremony while being totally nervous, and the thought of it alone in the days leading to the event makes my heart race faster, but accepted the invitation anyways, and threw myself in that unfamiliar terrain. Despite having my fair share of some big embarrassing Public Speaking episodes. We will safe that for another day.
Called my dear sister, Fatou Ndow to seek advice about how to deal with stage fright, and she happily recorded an informative audio to guide me through the process. Gladly, I was perfectly fine at the end of the day, and absolutely enjoyed the interaction with the Students.
Why did I just share my story with you? If I can overcome one of my biggest fears, so can you!!!And may I ask you a personal question?
What is your fear? What is your next 5, 10 years going to look like if you still linger in that fear?
Before you gravitate towards dismantling your fear, you contemplate on it first. But what if that action you are supposed to take is strangulated as it pops up in your head, because you are deeply attached to the identity you have built up until now, and that becomes the hallmark of who you are.
Safeguarding that identity is partly stopping you from taking the first step of telling your family and friends about your aspirations. You may have nothing tangible to show them right now that you will eventually showcase that skill.
Fear that they would laugh or scoff at you for even having the thought. Then sadly those cool ideas just remain ideas that never take off. Simply because you have robbed them the opportunity for a trial run.
Explore to evolve. Isn’t that what you really want? so you can truly be aligned with your purpose.
Embrace your fear today, and let it fuel you to drive to your destination.
