How to Stop Fear Preventing You from Achieving Goals

Fear is an emotion we have all felt at some time, and when we use the word fear we often associate it with the feeling of terror that overcomes all of us in a moment of danger.

Fear is actually a clever way we have evolved to protect ourselves in a situation that our mind and instincts perceive as dangerous. Our brain releases hormones that change our metabolism and body to encourage us to react in a way that can save our lives such as, run, hide or freeze.

It is during this moment that our instincts are in control and not our rational thought, meaning that we are reacting without thinking, and saving valuable time in order to save ourselves from the current threat.

Pretty great right…? Well, yes. During a dangerous situation, fear can make the difference between life and death, and it is an invaluable emotion. But unfortunately, fear doesn’t just limit itself to life and death situations.

Fear in Everyday Life

We can also feel fear when we perceive a risk to our everyday life, routine and habits. Meaning that fear can paralyze us in the moment of making a decision when it comes to our futures, and in reality, this can have disastrous consequences in achieving our goals.

Consequently, a relatively harmless small decision can induce a feeling of panic and fear that triggers our natural instinct of fight or flight. The reality of this means that every day, people say no to social interactions, the chance to excel in their workplace, the opportunity to learn new skills and even sabotage personal relationships – all because of the anxiety and fear they feel.

How to Stop Fear from Preventing You from Achieving Your Goals

The good news is, you are already taking steps in the right direction. Just by reading this article you are acknowledging that fear could be holding you back from your goals.

And as with most things, being aware of the problem is the first step in overcoming it. The next step in the process is now to understand the root of your fear and how you can overcome it when you begin to feel its grip.

If you have experienced trauma in the past, likely the best way to cope and manage your fear is through therapy, as different traumas affect us all in different ways and a trained specialist is the best person to guide you on the road to recovery and set you back on the path of achieving your goals.

But if your fear is not driven by trauma but instead caused by the feeling of pressure perhaps from external judgment or the perceived risk of failure, there are many techniques you can use to help you overcome the feeling and allow you make clear rational decisions.

For example, keeping a journal can be a great way of keeping our minds clear and goal-focused. Or practicing meditation and breathing techniques can achieve clarity in our mind in a moment of fight or flight.

The fact is that fear will always be a part of you, and it is a great thing because we need it. But fear doesn’t need to control you, and it certainly shouldn’t stop you from achieving your goals.