3 Reasons Why Fear Is Good for You

7 Jun, 2017 Personal Development,Self Improvement

Generally speaking, fear gets a bad rap. Just the word instills a negative connotation!

What do you think of when you think of fear? More than likely, fear makes you feel helpless, weak, paralyzed and generally held back.

What if I told you fear was actually good; that there is such a thing as healthy fear?

“Normal” fear:

  • Holds you back and anticipates failure.
  • Makes you second-guess yourself and ignore your instincts.
  • Causes unnecessary stress and emotional strain.
  • Keeps you safe from real, tangible
  • Is a road block.

What is healthy fear? More often than not, fear is a figment of your imagination.

Unless you’re being chased by a bear or your house is on fire, fear is simply a product of your thoughts and emotions — the things you tell yourself you should be afraid of.

Fear is subjective; it’s our thinking that gets us into trouble.

However, healthy fear can be a powerful motivator:

  • Fear of living paycheck-to-paycheck can motivate us to advance our career or switch jobs.
  • Fear of anonymity can lead us to leave a legacy.
  • Fear of monotony can motivate us to follow their passion.

Get the idea? Here are three ways to use healthy fear to your advantage.

1. Identify your fear.

What are you afraid of? Talking about our fears is a very sensitive and person thing because it leaves us totally vulnerable; yet ignoring them won’t make them disappear.

I remember when I wrote my first book, I was afraid of:

  • How people would perceive me.
  • What they would say.
  • What they would think about my writing.

After I had faced my fear full-on, I was able to step into my greatness and finally put it on the back burner.

2. Love your fear.

It sounds strange, but loving your fear can make it less all-consuming. When our brains identify something as dangerous, it sends a message to bodies to avoid at all costs.

Physical sensations of fear can manifest into stress, tense muscle, fatigue, etc. After you stop associating your fears with danger, you can start to tackle them in small doses.

Remember, mind trumps body, so get your mind right and start taking action.

3. Exploit your fear.

Take advantage of your fear by purposefully putting yourself in “scary” situations. Afraid of public speaking?

Book a speaking engagement or volunteer to lead a team meeting at work. Fearful of the judgment of others? Write a book and share your story!

One thing I know for sure is after you’ve tackled your fear the first time, you’ll be aching to do it again!

The reason being fear gives us a natural high, a burst of adrenaline and shot of serotonin to the brain — we physically crave fear.

Remember, fear is a friend, not foe! Get out there and tackle your fears — don’t let anyone tell you can’t, especially yourself!

Ready to tackle your fears? “Book Bound” Workshop is the perfect place to get started. Alongside dozens of like-minded authors, you’ll gain the tools to tell your story, open your heart and pursue your passion with confidence and enthusiasm.

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3 Reasons Why Fear Is Good for You
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Learn the difference between “normal” fear and healthy fear, and how healthy fear can be the best motivator to pursue your passion and achieve your goals.
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