How do you break through fear?

When I graduated from high school my uncle gave me a gift with the etched words: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

My success-focused, inner perfectionist immediately resonated with those words. If I cut failure out of the equation, what would I do? All types of possibilities instantly came to me…

Most people aren’t afraid of fear in itself. Fear is a huge part of the human experience, and it keeps us safe. People are afraid of the shame that comes with failure or rejection, of what it would mean for their life and relationships if they stepped out and made a big change, and perhaps most significantly fear of the…dun, dun, dun… unknown!

Even putting those 3 ideas in a sentence can be a paralyzing thought, keeping those that most want change in their lives stuck in a ‘safe’ but soul-crushing reality.

Of course, it would be difficult to talk about this subject if I had not experienced my version of all of these scenarios. Someone asked me last week,

“How do you break through fear?”  

1. Trust your Inner Guidance: call it your heart, your soul, intuition, Jiminy Cricket, your gut, whatever works for you. This is the still, all-knowing voice that we all have within us but depending on our upbringings, beliefs, and backgrounds, may have chosen to ignore. That voice always knows. Find your own way to connect with it. 
2. Face your Fear: Easier written than done. Fear can be unsettling. It’s why we don’t bring it up at dinner parties. Here’s how I face it. If there’s something I really want to create in my life, I ask myself one question: “Is fear the only thing holding me back?” If the answer is yes, I say to myself, “That’s not a good enough reason,” and I move forward.

Tomorrow I’m beginning another journey. I’m moving to Asheville to finish my book. Up until yesterday, I had a plane ticket and a place to stay for 2 nights. I trust my inner guidance, so even though my brain was freaking out, I knew that it would and will work out. My faith stems from many years of making the seemingly impossible a reality, but that began with a decision to commit to my dreams (and doing the necessary work to achieve them).

Do one thing everyday that scares you. -Eleanor Roosevelt

I wish I could tell you that fear goes away the more times you practice moving through it, but it doesn’t. What does shift is your comfort level and the ability to recognize fear, honor it, and get to your dreams faster!

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you break through fear? For another great post on moving through fear, check out Anne’s post: “What would you do if you had no fear?”