We all have habits and hobbies, things we do without worries about the outcome or even the reaction it will get from others: that is because we have overcome the first phase of feeling nervous and anxious as regards whether or not we will be able to do it as well as we hope/believe, and we have gotten so used to doing it that it has now become “spontaneous” and “no big deal”. Everyone has some grounds they have either never walked on or “think” they will ever walk on, no matter how awesome they have gotten on every other ground. That is just normal as well; nobody ever wants to leave their comfort zone, and, it is always easier clutching an acquired trophy than fighting with others for a new one.
Challenges are however an integral part of life and living. Fear follows every challenge (for everybody), and that is just an indication of you being about to “extend” your limitations and set new records for yourself: we cannot grow without fear, since we cannot attempt new things without it. When we get too comfortable on certain couches and don’t ever want to get off it, it restricts us indefinitely, despite the fact that we keep wanting to try our hands on other things and see how it will go (it is just normal that we “feel” like trying something new: variety they say is the spice of life!). If you always feel too afraid to try out new things, and force yourself to believe that your present position is just perfect and okay for you, then, this is for you!
Ten Steps to Help You Do it Afraid
You have already identified a goal or objective which you would love to achieve, but, thanks to the fear factor, you always push it to the back of your mind with a “it’s not important anyway” or “I don’t want to be disappointed”, but, here is how you can set out “slow but steady” to eventually pull off that dream!
1. Identify your strengths: this is definitely the first thing to do, because, it gives you a beautiful insight into what resources you have available at your disposal (material or not). List out all of what would be required to bring your ideal into reality, and then, from the listed features and resources, tick out the ones you have in and with you. For instance, if you need a certain amount of money, a team member(s), set of machinery, honesty, commitment, great foresight, among others, and you have all of these things save the machinery (of course you know best what makes up your character and attributes, regardless of what the super-humble and fearful voice within you says; you may refer to your previous experiences to be especially factual and resolved on each stated point), then, you mark out all of what is on ground and rate each of their importance to your new endeavor.
This should already give you a level of confidence since you have factually assessed and analyzed your available potentials and resources; you should now have a feeling like “not too bad for a start”, yeah? You would normally have inclinations towards things you naturally have a degree of competence in, even if you have never tried “them” out before; so, at the very least, you wouldn’t be so stranded you will have “nothing” of the requirements.
2. Identify your fears: since identifying your strengths invariably leaves you with the recognition of your flaws, you have gotten clear on all practical and real points, and next, you need to identify your fears; bring them out in the open, free them from the limited space in your little head. Here, you answer the question: what exactly am I afraid of? What is the reason for that fear? What is the extent of that fear?
Upon bringing your fears to limelight, you can face them with shame, and have the courage of surmounting them. “If they are no longer lurking in your head, then, they have been scattered into bits to be gradually dissolved” never forget that quote.
3. Employ your fears: yes, this is just what comes next. Upon identifying your fears and acknowledging them, what you need to do is to challenge yourself on every point of fear you conceived. Employ your fears strategically, know what options are available to you when a step is taken (prepare for what the flip of the coin will bring; head or tail), and one after the other, your fears would then become your motivation towards achieving the great feat that you probably never dared believe you could ever make!
Employing your fears means making your fears work for you: they are being the drivers and the result of their drive will be their pay! Make up your mind to trust better in your identified strengths and “dare” yourself to succeed, keep those fears at both sides: when it goes well, say to the particular fear that has been overcome “oh, so you were this empty. Over to the next challenge!”, and when it goes not-too-well, say to the fear “you aren’t as bad as I imagined, I’ll be sure to deal with you better next time.” There you have it! Employ your fears reasonably, don’t overwhelm yourself with challenges; take everything a step at a time.
4. A risk a day: there is a popular quote that says successful people are those who take risks! Yes, with every single thing we invest in, we are taking risks (huge or little); the higher the expected return the greater the risk (usually), and, the more novel the endeavour the greater the risk (relatively). You have made up your mind to do it, so yes, do it! You can’t just jump off your comfort zone and expect to find immediate lasting solace; again, be reminded that it is a step at a time (Rome was not built in a day).
You have a goal, but, you shouldn’t set the bar too high for yourself, just how you shouldn’t allow yourself to get fixated at any stage (growing too comfortable with your achievement at that stage that you no longer feel interested, or maybe too afraid, to proceed to the next); do not let a day go by without you making new headways. Take a risk a day (or week, or month, depending on the goal and your laid down strategy towards actualization); just don’t let a day go by without some efforts getting invested.
5. Stay deaf to negativity: you definitely have enough fears and anxieties of your own to deal with, now is not the time to entertain negativity from the outside world; if they are not giving you the encouragement you need, then, let the opposite be unheard. It is appreciated that you have people around you who would offer their opinions and help you weigh matters correctly before you settle for a particular course of action, but, if you have made up your mind (or have hopes of doing so) and decided to expand your boundaries and exposure, then, you will be doing yourself a deserved good by not paying too much attention to negative aura; from strangers or known persons.
Anything or person trying to tell you that you cannot do it or you don’t deserve it or you are better off without stressing so much: whatever form the negativity vibes they are trying to rub off you is taking, stay deaf and blind to it! There is never a harm in trying something ”more” than your “usual”; it is either you win or you learn. So yes, go for it!
6. Be inspired: now, your inspiration is very crucial, you can hardly get anything done without being inspired towards actualizing it. Your inspiration can come from inside or outside; read some literature available on your proposed project (whatever it is), discuss with experienced people in the field, discuss with some really great friends who would improve your inspiration level, think about why you want to do this and understand what huge help it will be doing for you and others: what better way to be and stay inspired than to have a great understanding of what problems facing people you intend to solve by “risking” doing this “right”?
7. Feed your faith: spiritually and psychologically, your faith is not a factor that can be traded either ways! Be sure to keep your faith always rising; nothing happens except by the will of the Almighty, and nothing makes meaning except by your faith in your own self. Trust that your Lord will support you on this cause and make it a success, coupled with your own faith that He will aid you in letting your dream come to fruition.
8. Self-motivate: aside outside inspirations, your motivation is irreplaceable! The thoughts and attitudes of others may change at any point, but, your thoughts and attitude towards your own aspirations and their achievements shouldn’t! That is why you need to be self-motivated in the course of achieving any feat. Always have a “reason” that will keep you “focused” and “determined” in the face of any hindrance, so that you always have that to fall back on, regardless of what situation you are currently suffering.
This is yet another “strength” that would assist you in getting it done: the zeal that is really yours and propels you to keep “trying” until you “get it”.
9. Have a plan: yes, don’t just have it in your mind that you will get it done, and then calculate your steps and “assume” you will be able to follow it through that way. Make sure to have your plan well laid out! Organize the process you need to follow in strategic steps, prepare a plan-B in case of any eventualities, and, make your plan as detailed and realistic as possible.
Despite your fears, you need to be as calculative as you are optimistic! Don’t dive in blindly, go in fully prepared!
10. Hit the track: of course, you did not go through all of those steps just so you can take in a deep breath and say “yeah, okay, so, I can do it afraid too”, did you? Definitely not! You have mentally and materially prepared yourself for the task ahead, and, now is the time to get started on the job. Hit the track, make a go at it, get the ball running! The ball is definitely in your court; the journey of a thousand mile begins with a step, yeah? And, without that first step, there wouldn’t be any journey at all.
Never forget this beautiful quote as well: a noble idea, without action, is meaningless!
So, why not take that deep breath in and take the little (baby) step first?
You can do it afraid too!
Good luck!
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