Some of us stay in our comfort zones and avoid the fears and uncertainty that stands in the way of us moving forward and succeeding with our goals. Stretch yourself and avoid these fears, which can come from past experiences, beliefs, and perceptions. They are sticking with us day in and day out and keep us from believing in ourselves. These limitations hold us back from trying anything new and block self-confidence.
Saying “no”, just to stay in your comfort zone is a perfect example of fear taking over your actions. Can you think of a time when fear or uncertainty stopped you in your tracks or kept you from going the extra mile – stretching yourself?
Do any of these sound familiar?
- I surrounded myself with unhealthy “friends” and put up with a series of unhealthy relationships out of fear of being rejected.
- I said no to going to the gym, yoga class or meditation due to being afraid that others would judge me and make me feel uncomfortable.
- I quit writing a book because I feared no one would read it or I do not have the potential to complete a New York Best Seller.
- I took jobs I hated and held on with a tight grip to every dollar I had out of fear of not having enough.
These thoughts are coming from your “inner critic”. I can tell you right now, that you are blocking your OWN potential.
We cannot expect to get from point A to point B without the willing to bust through fear to try something new.
Is it that you are afraid of setbacks? Expect them. Learn how to tackle and bust through them. I have a secret, “Everyone has setbacks, some people are just good at accepting them and moving around them.” If you never take this leap, you will not know what it feels like to truly live your life.
If you want progress in any area of your life, you must anticipate a certain amount of risk, which will inevitably bring some fear into your life. On the other hand, if you have no fear in life, you may not be stretching yourself enough. Do not miss all the “good stuff” because you listen to your “inner critic”.
So it is time for true happiness. Get a pen and paper, and do this exercise.
- Think for a moment. What is one thing that you have been putting off due to fear. This could be any goal, project, hobby, or health outcome. Write it down.
- Next, dig a bit deeper and ask yourself what is it that creates the fear?
- What is one small step you can take right now that will bring you closer to the desired result? No matter how big or small the effort.
How does it feel to find your reason that has been holding you back and to know you are one step closer? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear from you.
Lynn’s Corner
