How Do You Overcome Fear?

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Today’s “Exploring Fear” post comes from the book titled The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz. 

So how exactly do you overcome fear? In the book, Schwartz states that the ONLY way to overcome fear is to isolate that fear, and take an appropriate action towards it.

How Do You Overcome Fear?

Before I share with you more examples, I wanted to share a quick story with you reiterating the power of action to cure fear.

I used to be terrified of doing anything alone. Travelling, going to the movies, eating out, I even hated shopping alone! So what did I do to cure that fear? I travelled to Bali (opposite side of the world as I was living in Toronto at that time) BY MYSELF. Why? Well I really wanted to go to Bali… and I knew I couldn’t keep living my life the way I had been – not doing things I wanted to do because no one would come with me.

So I went! And I WAS terrified. But you know what? It was one of the best experiences of my life! My fear of doing things alone has GREATLY diminished because of it.

Alright, so here are some more specific examples of appropriate actions that Schwartz recommends we take, as well as my personal take on what else has worked for me in the past:

1) Fear of Losing an Important Customer

Action: “Work doubly hard to give best possible service. Correct anything that may have caused customers to lose confidence in you”.

My take on it: Find out why a customer wouldn’t want to do business with you and focus on correcting that to improve your business.

2) Fear of failing an examination

Action: “Convert worry time into study time”

My take on it: Everyone who’s been in school knows this is easier said than done. But seriously if you’re going to fail than you’re going to fail. No point in stressing over it. In fact if you continue worrying about failing and you don’t study because you’re to busy worrying about it… YOU WILL FAIL. 

3) Fear of things totally beyond your control. 

Action: “Turn your attention to helping to relieve the fear of others. Pray”.

My take: If you’re scared of things totally beyond your control, chances are the root of that fear is actually the fear of dying. Ask yourself the question: Would I be happy with my life if I were to die tomorrow? And if you’re not, take action in making your life the BEST it can possibly be NOW. One of the ways to do it is to help other people as suggested above. Making a difference in other people’s lives will result in you being much less afraid to die. 

4) Fear of what other people may think or say.

Action: “Make sure what you plan to do is right. Then do it. No one ever does anything worthwhile for which he is not criticised”.

My take: You’re not always going to be sure if your plan is right, but make sure you’ve done the appropriate research. Then just go for it, who cares if it’s not totally right? As Schwartz says, being criticised is pretty much inevitable, so get over it. If you want to avoid being criticised, live a small life. Which would you prefer?

5) Fear of people.

Action: “Put them in proper perspective. Remember the other person is just another human being pretty much like yourself”.

My take: Some of us may have had really terrifying experiences in the past as a result of people, but there are also so many amazing people in the world and it would be a shame for you to close yourself off to them! Have you ever taken public transit during rush hour and noticed how everyone avoids eye contact with each other?  Everyone is scared of you! When I did a 3 day course called The Landmark Forum, we did an exercise titled “Overcoming Fear” and this fear was the main focus. When you think about how scared everyone is of everyone, it actually becomes pretty hilarious. 

You can read more examples in the book. The Magic of Thinking Big was one of the first self development books I ever read and I highly recommend it!

Click the link below to purchase it on Amazon:

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