Fear is a powerful emotion that can hold us back in business. We’ve all experienced that feeling of dread when faced with a difficult decision or a challenging conversation. But what if we could learn to overcome that fear? What if we could use it to our advantage?
As an organizational leader with a doctorate in business administration, I have learned the importance of overcoming fear to succeed. In this article, I will share some of the strategies that have worked for me, hoping they can help you too.
The first step in overcoming fear is to understand what it is. Fear is often based on false evidence appearing real. It’s a trick that our minds play on us, making us believe that something is much worse than it actually is. But once we recognize this, we can start to take control.
One way to overcome fear is to collect evidence.
As the Director of Risk Management, I was responsible for identifying and addressing all risk within the organization. There were moments when I would have to address staff with very difficult conversations around adherence to policy. Instead of fearing the outcome of the conversation, I went in with the mindset of let me collect evidence to confirm if the conversation is warranted. This allowed me to approach the situation with a clear head and make decisions based on facts, rather than emotion.
Visualize success.
Another strategy for overcoming fear is to focus on what’s coming. Give yourself a reason to keep moving forward. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of completing a difficult project or the knowledge that you’re making a positive impact on your team or your company. Whatever it is, use it to motivate yourself.
Fear itself
It’s important to note that fear can manifest itself in different ways for different people. For some, fear may lead to procrastination or avoidance. In these cases, it can be helpful to break down the task at hand into smaller, more manageable steps. This can help alleviate the overwhelming fear and allow you to make progress.
Fear is a natural part of business, but it doesn’t have to control us. By recognizing the false evidence that often underlies our fears, collecting evidence, and focusing on what’s coming, we can overcome our fears and achieve success. Remember that fear can manifest itself in different ways, so it’s important to find the strategies that work best for you. With time and practice, you can learn to harness the power of fear and use it to your advantage.
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