Does Fear Hinder You?
I was browsing in the book store during my lunch break yesterday when I ran across a writing book that caught my eye. I can’t honestly say what the title was or even who wrote the book but in flipping through the pages I gleaned a few lines in a paragraph that struck me.
It is the feeling of fear.
But for many, the reason is much more serious than that. The reason many do not complete what they begin, if they ever start at all, is due to nothing other than fear itself. It is the fear of the unknown. The fear of the ‘what if’s.’ The fear of being criticized or turned away. The fear of being compared to others and not being able to compete. For some, it is the actual fear of success.
There are many times in life when we have to put ourselves out there, never knowing how others will receive us. But if we never try to accomplish our goals, live our dreams, move towards something which will fulfill our lives, we will never truly feel as if we have lived the life we were meant to live.
When I first began this process and secretly wrote the first draft of my book, it was fear that kept me from telling anyone but those very closest to me about my dreams to be an author. I did not want to hear anything from anyone that would make me question myself and my goals. When I finally let the rest of my family and friends in on the secret, it was honestly one of the scariest times in my life when it comes to putting yourself out there.
While I had pushed down the initial fear, I’ve noticed something as I move along with the completion of my book towards publication. I’ve noticed some of the fear has returned but this time it is different. The fear doesn’t involve thoughts of whether others will like my book or whether I’m criticized or praised. Of course, those are thoughts I have had and may experience in full force at a later time but they are an expected part of this process.
Whether the fear I have now or the fears I may have later will cause me to sabotage my own goals is a question I had to honestly reflect on. What fears do you face as you attempt to move forward towards your life goals? Do you believe you have ever sabotaged your own success due to an unknown or perceived fear?