Are You Feeding Fear or Strength?
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” — Dale Carnegie.
Have you ever felt that fear and doubt are unwelcome houseguests who never leave? They whisper lies, distort reality, and steal the joy from the present moment. We’ve all experienced it on some level, trapped in an unending tale of “what ifs” and “maybe not,” convinced by these harbingers of doom that our ideal life is out of reach. But what if we could eject these unwelcomed guests and reclaim our inner peace? The truth is we can choose where we focus our attention, and that choice can be the difference between a life lived in fear and one overflowing with confidence.
Reflect on this for a moment: Where has fear taken root in your life? Is it in your relationships, finances, or career? Maybe it still lingers over your dreams and highest aspirations. If I asked you to journal the narrative fear and doubt promote, what would you write? Is it a lack of choice? Self-worthiness or self-esteem? Overcoming fear and doubt first requires becoming familiar with how they work. Like a virus, they infect our thoughts, distorting reality. Soon enough, we become convinced that the lies they fabricate are true, and by that time, it may be too late to reclaim our thoughts. Either way, we should confront our limiting beliefs and analyze them for what they are: an unrealistic plan to sabotage us.
Stop Letting Fear Hold You Back
“Life isn’t much more than a big dig through layers of doubt and fear into new levels of power and potential.” — Robin Sharma.
Fear and doubt offer nothing in return but to steal our inner peace and happiness. In contrast, confidence and encouragement are allies that work together to support our goals. We ought to sow the seeds of these virtues in our psyche and extract fear and doubt from our minds. Fear undermines our confidence by portraying a bleak future. Confidence, on the other hand, is poised with conviction, ready to achieve excellence. This doesn’t mean we should completely eradicate fear from our lives, but we should acknowledge it for what it is. As the self-help author Susan Jeffers’ book proclaims: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.
Before we rewrite our story, we should confront the false narratives we’ve been telling ourselves. So, let’s put this into action:
Fear & Doubt Reframe Challenge
Grab your journal and take five minutes to reflect on the doubts holding you back. Answer the following questions:
- What is the biggest doubt or fear limiting me right now? Be honest and name it.
- Where does this belief come from? When did I first notice it? Is it based on facts, or is it a story I’ve accepted as truth?
- How can I rewrite this story with courage? Change your internal talk. For instance, instead of believing, “I’m not good enough,” try, “I’m capable and learning every day.”
Now take action:
Write down one small step you will take today to challenge your doubts. Even the smallest movement can build momentum over time.
The momentum we create from walking toward our fears helps us to take inspired action. Because every time we overcome fear, we silence our doubts and lay to rest the hijackers of tomorrow. Fear and doubt will try to steal our best-laid plans. Ignoring them isn’t enough. We need to confront them head-on and rewrite the narrative they promote. Consider this in your own life. What have you overcome in recent times that fear and doubt tried to sell you? It may be asking for a job promotion, starting a new business, or leaving a lucrative career. Fear isn’t always self-created. Sometimes, it is disguised in the form of concern from those dearest to us. Family and friends may mean well, but their advice often arises from their own fears, not your potential.
In other words, asking others for advice is like asking those who’ve never been where you’re going for directions. You assume because they are informed, they hold the answers, but they may not be the answers for you. So, question everything and put it to the test to see whether it will work for you. It is better to make a hundred mistakes alone than live inauthentically based on other people’s opinions. We’ve got to show up for our life and command it fully, irrespective of what others think. It requires moving through our fears and doubts, which accompany us on this life journey. It’s possible to overcome the mental hurdles by challenging the long-held beliefs we’ve upheld all these years.
So, where will you direct your focus? Fear and doubt will always whisper, not scream for your attention, but you get to decide whose voice is louder. Will you write a story of hesitation or one of courage and triumph? Remember the journey we’ve explored: understanding the tactics of fear and doubt, confronting limiting beliefs, and actively cultivating confidence. We’ve emphasized the power of choice and the importance of living fully. Ultimately, the responsibility for these choices lies with us. Will you be the 80-year-old consumed by regrets or the person beaming with the fulfillment of a life boldly lived? Your story isn’t written yet because you hold the pen. So, choose courage. Choose inspired action. Make it a remarkable life you can look back on with pure joy!
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
Are you ready to transform your life and unlock your potential? Start your journey with me today! My Life Coaching Program has empowered many to achieve lasting change. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation now and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you.
Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
