What are you afraid of?

"Let your dreams be bigger than your fears" - Unknown

Knowing and talking about our fears is not something we enjoy doing. I wonder if it is because we are afraid that when we vocalize our fears, they come true. To be successful in our journeys, we need to face our fears.
 
In this post, I will share the definition of fears, reasons to overcome your fears, and strategies you can apply to face three types of fears. For more practical tips, check out my post titled "How to do things you are afraid of."
 
What does fear mean?

• be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
• an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or might happen:
• to be uneasy, anxious, or doubtful

 
What are the most common fears women have?
Some of the fears many women have include the following:  fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure, fear of financial instability, fear of people's opinions, fear of not achieving goals or living out their dreams and fear of success.
 
What fear does to you?
Living with fear holds you back from seizing new opportunities, slows down your progress, and stops you from achieving your dreams.
 
Ways to address 3 types of fears
To be able to face our fears, we need to know what we are afraid of and actively apply strategies to face them.
 
#1: Personal Unknown fears
These are the fears that we are not aware of. The fact that we don't know them gives them even more power over us. They come up at times when we feel like we don't have control of a situation.
 
Strategies to consider

• Discover your unknown fears - spend time reflecting on what is holding you back.
  
• Accept your fears - learn more about your fears.

 
#2: Personal Known Fears
If I asked you what you are afraid of, some of your fears would come to mind. These are typically the ones that we think about daily. It's good that we know them. Because when you are aware of something, you can address it.
 
Strategies to consider

• Plan for the events you are afraid of - by preparing yourself, the fear will reduce over time.
• Do the things you are afraid of - take steps towards your dreams.

 
#3: Generational & Societal Fears
Based on our upbringing and the environment where we live, some external fears are imposed on us. It is essential to build a healthy relationship with this type of fears . They are mostly built on other people's experiences. Don't let them limit you and your perspective.
 
Strategies to consider

• Acknowledge the external fears that affect you - once you know them, you can address them.
• Share and talk to people around you - learn from successful people in your community.

 
MC's Journey
Talking about my fears is something I just started being comfortable doing. For years, I tried not to think about them so much. However, I noticed that they were controlling aspects of my life. The biggest fear that I had to face was my fear of change. I shied away from taking on new opportunities because I did not want to make changes. After missing some great opportunities, I realized that to achieve my goal and live out my dreams, I had to embrace change. Ever since I started facing my fear of change heads on, I have seen great results. Now I have made it my mission to be even bolder and challenge myself.
 
Call to Action
What are your top 3 fears? Write down your fears.
What strategies do you plan to apply? Face your fears.
 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with some great quotes about fear

• “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” —Rosa Parks
•  “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” —Marie Curie
• “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” —Nelson Mandela
• “Action cures fear, inaction creates terror.” —Douglas Horton'
• “Living with fear stops us taking risks, and if you don’t go out on the branch, you’re never going to get the best fruit.” —Sarah Parish

 
Great Resources

• What Are Women Most Afraid Of?
• The Three Biggest Fears Women Have
• The Fear That Is Holding So Many Women Back
• 3 Ways to Face Your Fears With Courage
• 13 Tips to Face Your Fears, Grow with Them and Enjoy the Ride
• 17 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Face Your Fears