FEARBUSTERS! (2) steps to remove fear.

It‘s not easy to avoid absorbing these constant negative messages, especially when you

seem to be surrounded by endless examples of them every day.  However, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact they have on your life.

1). Limit your exposure to news broadcasts; especially when they always seem to pertain to frightening events that are beyond your control... Listening to this fear programming only makes you feel more vulnerable. Certainly you can stay informed about world events but it is advisable to seek independent, unbiased news sources and then immediately start shifting your focus to something less fearsome. I haven’t watched a major news channel nightly news broadcast since 1992, and neither I nor the world have felt it a loss.

2). Gain strength by remembering that most of the things you fear will never come to pass. In fact, when you remember that giving your attention to anything only makes it seem bigger and more intimidating, you can see the wisdom in being more discerning about the things you think about. . Spend time each day thinking about the people you love, happy memories, and the great experiences that may be waiting just around the corner for you. It may not make the scary possibilities go away completely but it will lighten your mood, leave you feeling happier and less fearful.

3). Go outside. Natural settings like parks, forests, beaches, gardens, or even your own back yard are virtual treasure troves of positive feelings. Sitting quietly or strolling slowly as you gaze around at all of the beauty and abundance of nature can have a powerful restorative effect on your mind, body and spirit. Walk the dog, pet the cat, actually listen to the birds.

4). Use the What’s the Worst Thing that Could Happen? (Dale Carnegie Technique)

Fear often gets out of control because you worry about terrible consequences that may result, when those consequences may not be as bad as you think initially.  For example, you may find yourself in the grip of an anxiety attack when you think about doing something new, such as speaking in front of a group of people.

Writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie taught a powerful method to deal with these types of fears:

Ask yourself, ―What is the worst thing that could happen?‖  Using the public speaking example, you might answer, “I could make a fool of myself; the audience would laugh at me; I’d be so embarrassed and ashamed.”  Although these consequences wouldn‘t be fun to experience, you could certainly handle them if they did occur, right?  Accept the worst possible consequences you think could happen, and then decide to move forward anyway.  This technique can be incredibly empowering because you reduce the size and magnitude of your fear by realizing that you can handle the things from which you would otherwise shy away.

Conclusion?

Fear is an obstacle that can be overcome.