APPREHENSION; CONSTERNATION; DISMAY; TERROR; FRIGHT; PANIC; HORROR; TREPIDATION.
Recent fears encountered among women in my life include the following: loss of financial independence, giving up control, not knowing how to meet the expectations, no longer having faith in others to have a plan & to do the right thing, physical abuse, not having a place to sleep each night, making the wrong college choice, being cut open by an impatient doctor, being alone forever.
Each of these women were deciding a course of action. Some were focused on the hope for their desired outcome. Others were fighting back against the fear. A few made choices driven by fear. What might happen if we all made choices based on what we believe is really best - not just what appears "safe" for the moment?
In sports, a person sacrifices on a daily basis. It is framed in a positive way.
- You give your body - fitness training, physical injury, limited diet, sleep deprivation.
- You give your time - practice, lifting sessions, cross-training, learning plays, watching film, studying your opponent.
- You trade relationships - teammates for everyone else.
All of this energy is focused on winning - each match, the whole season, regionals, nationals and world championships. We say it is for fun. Really it is our desire to compete. To be the best. To be without fear.
We have all of these resources on an average day: your body, your time and relationships. How do we re-purpose ourselves to dedicate our resources to our own priorities? What happens when we take away the external competitors and are left with one person to compete against - ourself. This creates fear. How high can I set the bar and still make it over? If I fail, there is no one else to blame or share the responsibility. It's me. Just me.
Combat the uncertainty. Determine your level of competence. Measure the risk.
If we assess the risk based on taking the action we desire, it must be balanced by determining the risk of taking no action. Just because something is known and "comfortable" does not mean it is low risk. Sticking with the status quo may incur a very high cost.
Start doing and be fearless.
