Kicking Fear in the Butt
Having a fear of heights for many years, I decided that it was time I put this ridiculous fear to rest once and for all. So making a snap decision, something I don't usually do, I announced that I was going to conquer my fear by doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge clime. After much excitement and encouragement from family and friends, the big day finally arrived.
Now although I felt a lot of confidence in my ability to do this, I was quite surprised at how anxious I felt on the morning of the big event. I had committed to this now, so needed to really hone in on my feelings of determination to succeed. My focus was very much on the outcome I wanted - to overcome my perceived fear of heights, so that's what I did.
I had some anticipatory feelings at different points throughout the walk, even stopping and 'freezing' at one point. However, the further into it I got, the less anxious I felt. Nothing could have been better than that feeling of sheer exhilaration and pride I felt standing on top of the bridge taking in the breathtaking views... it was extraordinary. Needless to say, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
Any self doubt in my ability to do this were well & truly dissipated. During the decent, the reality of what I had just achieved was, for me, a bit of a light bulb moment. I couldn’t understand what all the fuss had been about. Why had I for all these years insisted on telling myself (& others) I was scared of heights? There were many things that I had missed our on (obviously my choice) by holding onto this belief. I’d never had a bad experience that I could remember. The only thing I could really recall was much talk about the ‘family history of fear of heights’.
In her book, ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’, Susan Jeffers talks about everyone feeling fear at some point. And that in order to grow, one is going to experience fear. You will experience fear whenever you’re on unfamiliar territory, & the only way to get rid of the fear of something is to go out and do it. Pushing through fear is far less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness. Pretty good advice and a book well worth reading.
If you have a belief that has held you back from doing something you would love to do, look deep inside and answer these four questions:
- What will happen if I conquer this fear?
- What won’t happen if I conquer it?
- What will happen if I don’t conquer it?
- And what won’t happen if I don’t conquer it?
Find someone that will encourage you, champion you along the way and see the magnificence that is within you and just do it! See in your mind how it will be when you have succeeded. What will it give you? I’m telling you now, the liberation you will experience from conquering your fear will give you such a sense of accomplishment & confidence. Then you can embrace your new found confidence to do anything you choose too!
You are the master of your own destiny. The more you step up, feel the fear & take action to conquer it, the more you will want to do. Because the more action you take, the more success you will experience. And that means you will enrich your life, and the lives of others. What an example and lesson to teach children as well. Remember when your children see you doing new things, they also will be more likely to do new things.
Choose something right now to conquer in your life – you’ll be glad that you did!
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