ARTICLES

Self Awareness > Facing Fear
By Linda Anderson
August 31, 2010

 

Have you ever noticed that people are afraid of fear? They don't want to engage in situation that might cause them to feel fear.
 
Fear is good! Fear is a sign that you are stepping outside your comfort zone. Feeling fear is an opportunity for growth  ... doesn't sound so bad now does it?? Fear becomes a problem when we allow it to prevent us from taking action, when we allow it to hold us back.
 
I remember a time I went white water kayaking with a group of friends. After a week of rain the river was at the maximum height allowed and the water was fast.
I have always had an adventurous spirit so was excited about the trip. However, I had a nasty experience canoeing with my Dad as a child ... I ended up trapped underwater between a canoe and a rock in the middle of a rapid ... this memory created a lot of fear for me.
 
The second rapid of the day was particularly challenging ... in hindsight the guide decided we shouldn't have been allowed to tackle it ... hindsight is a fabulous thing!
Halfway down I collected a tree in the middle of the river, it threw me into the water ... I found myself travelling head first down the rapid hitting rocks and trees on the way. I was frightened. It felt like an eternity before I could spin my body around and get my feet in front of me (much safer position).
 
Once I made it to safe water, located my paddle and my boat I was white, shaken and scared. I had to make a choice. I could choose to let my fear limit me and walk all remaining rapids. Or I could choose to accept the fear, take on the challenge and enjoy the personal growth that comes with it.
To quote the book by Susan Jeffers ... I could "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway!"
So ... I kept paddling and had a wonderful experience from that point onwards.
 
Is there a place in your life you experience fear? If you were to make a choice to accept the fear and take action anyway what would you do differently?

 

Linda Anderson, Principal Coach of a2a coaching, dedicated to helping people live bold and rewarding lives. Linda has an energetic and direct style of coaching which suits people who like to be challenged. Linda is also the co-founder of Mums on the Go - a website created to support mothers to value themselves as much as they value their children.