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By letting go of fear and insecurity you discover your life grows in proportion to your willingness to confront the discomfort and think differently. - Jacqueline Wales
Nine days ago my TEDx talk Unleash the Power of Fear: The Secret to Success and Happiness launched and so far has achieved 4,700 views and 187 likes and comments. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to watch.
This was a major milestone in my career and I have been overwhelmed with the positive responses.
Over these last nine days I've posted several times and many of you have probably missed them because of the fast flowing stream of LinkedIn so I though
The F Word
For many decades, I have embraced the power of my favorite F-word – Fear. It's been my greatest teacher, guiding me from chaos to clarity. Over time, I learned that fear is the greatest driver for growth in the human experience and I have written extensively on the subject. Becoming a confident, fearless person means having the courage to take more risks. It means believing you can be so much more than you think you can be? Fundamentally, it's about learning to trust yourself – trusting your decisions, your ability to handle whatever comes your way, and recognizing that you can surpass your own expectations.Going beyond fear means you trust that you can be more than you think you can be.
Fear Shrinks The Mind
Fear shrinks the mind, but if we examine it, it leads to deep self-understanding. In my own experience, fear played a pivotal role in transforming my life from one of limitation to boundless expansion. I'm not going to say the journey was easy. It wasn't. I self-sabotaged my life on so many levels for years until I began to understand that fear was in the drivers seat, and I couldn't figure out how to get out of my own way. Becoming a confident and fearless person — someone who knows fear, but also willing to take the next step is about having the courage to examine your life, and take more risks. When you do that, you will no longer feel divided, uncertain and insecure.Doubts about your identity and capabilities dissolve, replaced by a deep trust that, regardless of the challenges, you are fundamentally safe and secure in knowing who you are. It's all possible when you do the work of asking the hard questions, staying open and curious, and allowing yourself to tell different stories of who you really are.When you embrace a different story you can truly live up to your full potential and bring joy and fulfillment into your life. The journey is inherently evolutionary. It involves asking difficult questions, seeking improved answers, and an ongoing exploration of self.
Fear is the Greatest Teacher
Imagine a 5-year-old, shivering, wide-eyed and uncertain, hiding inside a closet overwhelmed by fear. Fast forward through the years, and that child has become a well-known author and speaker who helps people understand how to use fear as a motivating force.This isn't just a story of time passing by; it's a journey of how fear, once a silent companion cast shadows on every decision, and became my greatest teacher. It's a tale of facing uncertainties, dealing with doubt, and coming out on the other side with a stronger sense of self. As the years went on, fear shifted from this mysterious, overwhelming force to something more like a guide. It played a role in shaping who I am, pushing me to grow and learn.This journey isn't unique to me; it's a story we all share. It's about learning to navigate fear, not letting it control us, but using it as a guide to move forward. It's not about getting rid of fear but understanding it, learning from it, and letting it guide us through life's challenges.
Fear As My North Star
Eleanor Roosevelt once said that you must stop and look fear in the face to do the thing you think you cannot do. To unleash the power of fear in my life, I had to be willing to examine every single one of my assumptions. I had to get honest about my motivations. And I had to stop giving into the behaviors and deceitful thoughts that told me I couldn’t succeed.Over time, fear became something unexpected — my north star. Instead of holding me back, it became an instrument for growth, turning a life that seemed to be spiraling into chaos into a path of valuable lessons. Understanding the role of fear is key to achieving success.
If you found these posts insightful please take 17.45 and watch, like and comment on my TEDx talk Unleash the Power of Fear. Your support will help me to raise the visibility on this important subject and help others break through their fear barriers.
Related: Good Intentions Are Not Enough