Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague, infecting millions upon millions of people. It spreads with viral effect, and leaves behind consequences of mediocrity and regret. This "plague" is partly due to societal influences (particularly in a post-9/11 era) and partly due to individual issues (the tendency to avoid confrontation of that which we fear). However, whatever the cause, a vaccine is available, and it takes the form of moving towards that which we are most afraid of. Immediately.
Fear as an acronym stands for "False Evidence Appearing Real". This false evidence can take many forms, but the key is that it appears real. We perceive something to be scarier than it really is. One good example can be found in sports, when we fear losing (or failing). Think about it: Is there really anything to be scared of? If you do in fact lose, what then will happen? Sure, it might be painful, but hasn't everyone lost at one point or another in competition? Of course! So why fear losing if it happens to everyone? Not only is fear of losing or failure a waste of time-it also puts you in a reactive, more passive mode of competing. Reactive, passive competitors are more likely to perform poorly in a competitive environment. So don't waste your time fearing losing. Instead, spend your time:
1. Identifying your biggest fears (in sport, in competition, in life). These are the fears that hold you back the most. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of injury, fear of risk taking.
What are the consequences of harboring some of these fears?
-Fear of failure: you will never fully give all of yourself to competition if you are afraid of losing
-Fear of success: you're less likely to win, obviously, if you have mixed emotions about being able to deal with success (and the responsibilities that come with it)
-Fear of injury: you're more likely to be injured, as you will be more tentative
-Fear of risk-taking: you'll never risk, and therefore, never gain.
2. Setting about a plan to attack these "falsehoods". Without a plan, there is no prescription for removal of these fears.
Dr. Smith's prescriptions:
-For fear of failure: Go out and fail on a daily basis. Get used to it, because humans do fail, and you are human. Might as well learn to live with it.
-For fear of success: Get straight in your mind that success is a great alternative to mediocrity. Really.
-For fear of injury: Get back on the bull (so to speak) as soon as possible after being injured (but cleared to compete). The longer you wait, the greater your fear will be.
-For fear of risk-taking: take risks, but on a large and frequent scale, and in every area of your life. Ask people out on dates. Ask for favors. Tell someone who is bugging you how you really feel. Ask a sport psychologist for assistance. (Just kidding, but not really!)
3. Moving towards instead of away from these fears. You will discover that the closer you move towards that which you fear, the less scary those fears are. Sort of like the first time you stood up to the school bully and realized that he or she was not so tough when confronted. You were perceiving based on "false evidence".
Moving towards fear in your daily life means doing that which you hate/detest/fear/loathe/don't want to do, and doing that thing first, before all else. For me, that means going jogging at 7 am on these dark, winter mornings. For you it might mean something else. However, the key to beating back our irrational and disabling fears is to run, not walk, towards them at every chance. By doing so, you will prove to yourself how silly those fears are in the first place, as they provide no inherent value in your life. They merely hold you back from reaching your true potential.
Copyright (2003) Leif H. Smith, Psy.D. All rights reserved.
Performance expert Leif H. Smith, Psy.D, is the president of Personal Best Consulting, a consulting firm located in Hilliard, Ohio. To learn more tips and techniques to immediately improve performance in your life and to sign up for his FREE monthly advice newsletter, visit http://www.personalbestconsulting.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..I am going to tell you something you already know... Read More
"Write checks on a regular basis to those who you... Read More
You have complete control over your thoughts. Thought patterns develop... Read More
I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More
Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More
One of the hallmarks of all successful and high achieving... Read More
One way to become more successful in your life is... Read More
Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More
Delegate your life If you're having problems finding the time... Read More
People like to emerge as winners by hook or crook... Read More
I have written much about how, in order to have... Read More
Most dictionary entries would define failure as the simple lack... Read More
When I decided to have my web site built, I... Read More
Trust is a cornerstone of human existence. It is interesting... Read More
Every one of us lives with a ceiling, a belief... Read More
Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
You must understand You are already a Success, and before... Read More
Create an environment that is so inspiring and nurturing that... Read More
Asking questions is one of the most basic ways that... Read More
The power went out. Again!I looked out my second story... Read More
Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More
One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More
Not only do we communicate with ourselves, but our cells... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Have you ever thought about what makes a superstar? What... Read More
Jack Nichlaus was asked if there are really talented golfers... Read More
Let me say this to get it out of the... Read More
Often, what people say about other people behind their backs... Read More
We were at some friend's house the other day and... Read More
The TRUE BMI of SUCCESS (B)e a (M)illionaire (I)ndexWhy am... Read More
When I decided to have my web site built, I... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
Change is one of the biggest concepts facing today's society.... Read More
Remove these words from your vocabulary!The words "If only ?"... Read More
There are so many internet marketing schemes out there so... Read More
"Fear Factor" is one of my favorite TV shows. It... Read More
A young girl opens a birthday card from her grand... Read More
The secrets of our body language have been around forever... Read More
Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
The need to be successful. This is the bottom line... Read More
A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More
All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Read More
Start a "round robin" goal letter with others who need... Read More
Measure twice, cut once Just as in carpentry, making sure... Read More
What does a sharp saw have to do with lifelong... Read More
It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More
On your journey to moving past using food to cope... Read More
Wealthy people share common traits. That's why they are wealthy.... Read More
Success |