Franklin Delano Roosevelt was quoted as saying, “…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
He said these words as a way of comforting a country devastated by a harsh depression. This was part of his inaugural speech for his first term.
The motivational meaning behind Roosevelt’s statement was to face your fears and not be paralyzed by them.
This was a key element in helping people cope during one of the country’s most desperate times. He later used his fireside chats on the radio to further comfort people.
How to Run Towards Fear
Running towards your fears requires you to step outside your comfort zone. Change is a necessary part but is difficult for many to come to grips with. Hiding from fear can cripple people. It usually makes the situation worse by not taking any action.
Try to keep this fact in the back of your mind. Use it as a means to handle uncomfortable situations.
When you do approach the situations you fear, you find they are not as bad as first imagined. Further, you often feel a sense of accomplishment when you take on those fears.
Once you have conquered a fear or two and realize that sense of accomplishment, you can add those memories into your tool belt. Next time, another way to manage fears can also include remembering this positive feeling at the end of the encounter.
For example, many people have a fear of speaking in public. If you are one of them, setting yourself to challenge this fear head-on can be a great start to running towards your fears.
Start small, by signing up for a local neighborhood event. As you get more comfortable, you'll find yourself becoming the keynote speaker at large summits!
If you can get through the first small step, you have the tools needed to get through most anything else that comes your way.
Mom Has The Last Word
It takes courage to break through and face that which you are afraid of. But, you will often find others who have either gone through what you are going through or are looking to do it.
Forming support groups can be a great way to help each member with the situation. The simple act of talking about your fears together can often lead to taking the necessary actions. If you stumble, the group can help you get back on the proverbial horse.
Life is full of challenges that need to be dealt with. Sheltering yourself from facing those challenges only puts them off to deal with later. It’s rare that deferring them will lead to a positive outcome. Confronting them will make you a stronger person and preventing situations from building to a point of being unmanageable. People will also see you as a leader when you step up to the plate and take charge of the situation.
Have you conquered any fears lately, and been proud of the outcome? Share with us in the comments below!
