Facing Your Fears

Fear is a 4-letter word all of us are familiar with. Some experience it less than others. Some are fearful; some are fearless. It’s even referenced in Brandstarter with the clever acronym “False Expectations Appearing Real.”

To celebrate 8 years since Laura opened the doors of Worx, we had a team birthday party. No balloons and streamers here, though. Instead, a 22’ pole, rope ladders, zip-lining, a huge swing and tightropes through tree canopies. It was a fun day overall, but every single one of us achieved personal goals and faced some major fears.

How do you know when you’re feeling “fear”? Does your heart race? Does your mind think of worst-case scenario endings? Do you shake from head to toe? We all felt a combination of those feelings when in reality our lives were not in danger. We had the proper safety equipment, a trained professional and our team to rely on. We all admit to repeating the same question and answer in our heads throughout the day.

“Will I die?” “No.”

During the climb of the 22’ pole, my body was shaking; I had to pause to control my breathing. I wanted to get to the top more than anything. The harness was attached to a rope that was being held by other members in my group. If I fell, I wouldn’t get hurt. Reaching the top and standing tall was liberating and joyful. I faced my fear, and I lived! So, while there are legitimate things to make you fear for your life in this world, most of the ones we face for personal or professional advancement isn’t life or death. 

The entire day, the bond grew stronger between the team as a whole and between each of us individually. To know we could rely on others, and we were willing to help each other in any way, demonstrated the importance of a team. 

Whether it’s your company, your family or a group of friends or a group of strangers, who is there during the initial fear? Can you count on them? A support team of motivators can really elevate your progress and successes.

While my favorite activity was the zip-line, the swing was also quite the adrenaline rush. As the harness attached to the rope is pulled by the rest of your team, raising you into the air, you feel it click into place. The only thing left to do is pull the lever. This frees the attached person from the rope stabilizing their height and allows you (and me, in this case) to fall and swing above the trees. The only way I was able to pull the lever was not hesitating. If you think about it too much, over-analyze the situation; you’ll never pull it. So with a green light from Clive (our man of the day!), I pulled the lever and experienced an amazing flying sensation.

The most challenging part of the day for me was the tight ropes between the trees. Constantly stabilizing my body and weight for 45 minutes straight literally led to muscle failure. I was completely exhausted physically and mentally. How can you avoid exhaustion? Pause when you need too, refuel as you go. Realize you are stronger than you think and keep going. Muster up that one last UMPH! to keep going. While I had to pause and regather my thoughts, I had special people around me helping me to appreciate my progress rather than feeling the frustration of my apparent weakness.

So, the next time you face fear, whether it’s starting a new job, giving a speech, or bungee jumping, ask yourself:

Who is there to help me?

How will it feel to overcome this fear?

How can I pace myself mentally and physically in order to succeed?

If you're interested in facing similar fears in an outdoor adventure atmosphere, visit upwardenterprises.com

Kick fear in the rear

Fear. What does that mean, anyway? Well, Webster says it's an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something or someone is dangerous, or the feeling of anxiety concerning an outcome of something. There are fears of objects, fears of people, fears of the unknown. Today I want to talk about the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is something many entrepreneurs face. There's comfort in doing the same thing we've always done. You know how to do it, and it’s safe. Wait! (Insert screeching car tire sound effect...) If you keep doing the same thing won't you keep getting the same results? Ouch. That hits home.

I discovered a secret this week (make sure to watch the video above from The Green Couch Project). Fear can do one of two things for you:

1.     Drive your passion or

2.     Stall your success

Here's my challenge to you: Think about something that scares the heck out of you. I'm not talking about a scary movie or making a decision, or something that doesn't feel right in your gut. I'm talking about that big idea you have; the expansion of your business, hiring a new employee, moving your office, raising your rates, risking all you have to live your purpose. Get that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach? Good.

Now, think past that fear. Stop looking at all the what ifs and the how am I going to's. What does your life look like when that dream, goal or passion is in place? Are you excited? Does it feel right? Are you happy?

That is the dream to act on, my friends. When you can see past the unknown and look into the future and visualize what life looks like when you've reached that goal; you're setting yourself up for success. Whenever fear tries to sneak back in, visualize that successful place:

· Make a collage of that vision

· Draw a picture

· Create a Pinterest board

· Verbalize it with your closest loved ones

· Write about the emotions in a journal

When you give life to a dream, you crush the fear. Negative energy cannot live where positive energy thrives.

Lets redefine fear. False Expectations Appearing Real. Fear only has as much power as we allow. False expectations. The “belief" that something is dangerous. See a common thread? We create fear! Acknowledge the feeling, then release it and focus on your life purpose. You have the power and drive to achieve anything and everything you've ever wanted.

Feeling a little uncomfortable

I have a business motto that I live by: If it doesn't scare me (at least a little), it's not a good idea. Sounds scary, doesn't it? I agree. But here's the thing, if we always did things that we were comfortable doing, we would live the same life forever.

There are two kinds of fear: 

1. The feeling when you know something just isn't right, that what you're being faced with is a bad move or decision - follow your gut on this one.
2. OR the feeling where you know something great is right around the corner, but you're too afraid to take the step towards it - this is the one that gets most of us.

Think back to when you were a child. Everything was unknown! That first time you let go on the merry-go-round, the first time you had a sleep over away from home and the time you took your first bite of what is now your favorite food... although they are all low risk, back then they were huge!

Business is the same way (although some days I wish it were as easy as playing on the playground again). Instead of hiding from fear, embrace it! By taking a risk you open the door to so many possibilities - things that could change your life.

If that risk doesn't work out the way it's supposed to, know that it's ok! Failed attempts are not a sign of weakness but a sign that you've learned an important skill or lesson that will allow you excel at the right time in your life.

The next time an opportunity presents itself and it gives you that unsettling feeling, think about which type of fear it is. Are you going to change your destiny?

Live comfortably by being uncomfortable.


poster by Charly Clements on behance.net