Insights 6: Face your Fear and be Empowered

Thoughtful quotations:

“Fear does not prevent death. It prevents life” Buddah

“We cannot be our creative and innovative best, when we operate out of fear” Abraham Maslow

“An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth” Erwin Hall

Context for reflection:

We either live in “fear” or in “love”. Most of us have some inner fear that hijacks us on occasion. Living in fear afflicts and affects our daily lives if we do not seek to understand it. Taking time to truly (honestly) understand our fears and consider a way to achieve some relief / release from them, is critical to furthering a “growth mindset”. It is through understanding and confronting fears, that we better understand ourselves and our capabilities. Confronting a fear is hugely empowering, whether it be physical (e.g. a fear of heights) or an emotional fear (a boss suggesting every mistake be met with a threat or anger). Fear ignites the most primitive part of our brains, the Amygdala and the well-known fight or flight response. The result in many organisations is that fear hinders the truth. Hiding from the truth impacts honest performance. 

I witnessed a person scared of heights and who have has not been able to climb on a ladder. On challenging himself to try he managed five rungs, with support from the team.  He was beaming and proud of his sense of accomplishment.  

Confronting your real fears will open your opportunity to approach your world with an openness and ultimately your love will shine through.

A few questions for you:

• What is your biggest fear? Ask yourself, many times until you find the real cause?

• What can you do to confront this fear, even in the smallest way? How can you work on this, one step at a time?

Drafted in all humility as I continue my journey of discovery. It is indeed challenging, with so much to remember and learn.

Andrew Pons

References: 

Wilson, L & H, Play to Win! Fourth Edition, Bard Press, 2001

Urban, H, Life’s Greatest Lessons, First Edition, Fireside, 2003

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