Fear of Change

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly…

Although we often say we wish things would change, most of us experience a healthy amount of fear and anxiety when it comes to real change.

So, you may be unhappy in a career, relationship or life in general. You may think about making a change and consider the possibilities… but when it comes to taking the first step, it feels scary and daunting. It’s much easier to continue on autopilot even if you’re not happy.

We as Humans Find it Difficult to Move out of our Comfort Zone

It feels uncomfortable. Even when you’re miserable, at least you’re familiar with how things go. I’ve heard it said, “It’s the devil you know versus the devil you don’t.”

Not Knowing is the Hardest Part (the unknown)

We imagine the worst and we allow our minds to go down that dark path. That’s the kind of thinking that keeps us stuck in a mediocre life, mediocre job or mediocre relationship and we never achieve our dreams.

We Need to Step out of our Comfort Zone

Realize that life is short. Take a chance. Make it happen. Small steps. A little discomfort.

When you’re on your death-bed and you look back at your life, will you wish you had done things differently? Will you wish you had had the courage to make your life better? In the end, wouldn’t we wish we had tried?

What if the Wright Brothers weren’t willing to take a risk? Would we be flying today? What if Martin Luther King decided that he couldn’t find the courage to speak in public to a crowd? What if Olympians didn’t push themselves to move beyond what was comfortable? Would we all be living with regret?

Here’s How You Begin

Set a goal

Take 10 minutes or (days) to consider your goal, the amount of time needed depends on your level of fear. You may need to curl up and think about this one.

Plan your progress

Take a deep breath and outline a step-by-step plan to achieve your scary goal. Fear will attempt to derail your efforts by focusing on the problems that may come up along the way. Your job is to be here and now. Your job is to plan. For now, just plan. Don’t worry about what’s to come, don’t fuss, don’t awfulize, for now, just plan.

Take the first step

A good plan breaks everything down into manageable steps. Once you have done that, don’t worry about the long term. Focus on the first step. Just take the step that is in front of you. That’s all you ever have to do, is take the step that’s in front of you. Ever.

Keep Moving Toward Your Goal

One step at a time. You should know that most heroes have plenty of fear as they walk their scary paths with shaky legs and trembling hands, one step at a time.

Keep Your Eye on the Goal

When I learned to ride a motorcycle my instructor said, Look where you want to go, not where you don’t. Keep your eyes on the path not on the ditch. Where your eyes go, the bike goes. Keep your eye on the goal. Be aware of the dangers but keep the focus on your path.

Celebrate the Milestones Along the Way

Celebrating keeps you motivated. It helps you recognize your progress. It builds confidence (which works better than fear). Every worthy goal has a few bumps along the way, don’t let it derail you. Keep your eye on the goal. Don’t let your fear keep you from your destiny.

All you ever have to take is the step that is in front of you. I promise.

Take a deep breath, you got this!