Who’s In Control: You Or Your Fear?

I’m reading a book titled The War of Art. It is all about the struggle for the artist, or in my case, the writer, to, well, write. The monster we battle is what the author calls “Resistance” and he goes on to describe all of the faces that Resistance can make.

Resistance comes in many forms such as self-doubt, procrastination, and excuses. Creativity can be stifled in many ways but it is just Resistance in disguise.

Regardless of whether you are an artist, Resistance shows up in your life too. Call it Resistance or Fear, whatever you call it, it stops you from achieving success. It interferes with completing your goals – or following through with whatever your heart is longing for.

You want to lose weight, change jobs, start a new business, run a marathon, get married, buy a house, write a book - YOU WANT CHANGE – but your fear, or “Resistance”, creeps in. And it can be so subtle…

…Or it can hit you like a lightning bolt.

Often fear shows up in the form of excuses or rationalizations. You can come up with some really good reasons as to why you can’t, haven’t, and won’t. It is not your fault; it is your *fear* which holds you back.

So, who’s in charge here? Who will win this battle for control?

There is an inner enemy that lives in your mind and it is essential you recognize how it shows up for you – in all its many ways. Knowing this will empower you.

Awareness is powerful because then you can choose – you have to choose to grow bigger than your fear.

When you know your fear and how it shows itself, then you can decide *consciously* how you want to proceed. Will you let Fear have his way? Or will you push through in spite of this fear?

Change requires courage and faith. And the path to any real success will mean a few skinned knees. You have to be willing to push through and take the punches. Dust yourself off and keep moving toward your goal. This will increase your self-confidence and fortify your commitment.

If you don’t have the strength to go on, then maybe the goal is not worth fighting for or maybe the timing if wrong. Reevaluate your commitment, your resources, your values and your reasons for continuing. If you don’t see the value in the outcome, if the vision is fuzzy, if life has changed and this path no longer serves you, then let it go and choose a new goal. But don’t let fear win.

Here are some strategies for success:

• Know your path and why your traveling it.

• Have faith that if you continue to take another step you will succeed and the universe will support your efforts.

• Recognize Fear, face it, and walk through it.

• Garner support from your allies to assist you along the way.

• Expect fear – he is always there. His job is to keep you from achieving success.

• YOUR job is to succeed in spite of him.

Your partner for success – and FEAR slayer -

Coach Julie, RN ~ Nurturing Your Success

PS Would you like support for facing YOUR fear to achieve success? Schedule a free coaching session today to learn how coaching can benefit you.