The cost of inaction: Assessing Fears that hold you back
Do you set a goal, try to figure out how to achieve it, and run into obstacles that stop you from working toward your goal? Do these obstacles feel distinctly personal like maybe you are getting in your own way? Perhaps assessing your fears instead of setting goals is a good place to start.
After all, fear is a powerful driver that can stop us in our tracks. So, what is the cost of inaction?
Stagnation and Regret: Fear can often dictate our decisions and actions. Allowing this to happen risks stagnation and possibly missing out on growth opportunities. Over time, this can lead to feelings of regret and ultimately dissatisfaction with our lack of action.
Missed Opportunities: Fear can stop us from stepping outside of our comfort zone and grabbing opportunities that come our way. We miss out on experiences and connections that can lead to something you never thought possible.
Diminished Confidence: Each missed opportunity reinforces the belief that we are incapable or unworthy of success. This tends to perpetuate a cycle of inaction and self-doubt.
Hiding in Plain Sight: The more inaction, the more we hide from ourselves, our dreams, and our relationships. We then miss more connections and potential opportunities which can affect our sense of belonging and our ability to move forward.
How do we identify and characterize our fears?
Identify Specific Fears: Are you afraid of failure, rejection, criticism, or the unknown? Pinpoint your fears and describe in detail how they are holding you back. This will help you understand the underlying causes and how they affect your behavior.
Challenge Limiting Beliefs: What do you believe about yourself as a result of your fears? Take a good look at your assumptions. Are they true or are they distorted perceptions based on past experiences or negative self-talk? Challenge these limiting beliefs. Replace them with positive and realistic perspectives.
Confront Your Fears: Facing your fears is probably not on your to-do list. You likely rather avoid them. How about confronting them head-on? It’s a process and requires gradual steps toward exposing yourself to the situations or experiences that trigger your fears. Eventually, you will build confidence and fully understand how your fears hold you back.
Get Support: Your fears feel very real. Seeking support from friends, family, or a professional coach or therapist can help you assess your fears and find ways to move past them. A supportive network can provide guidance and accountability. We are not meant to do this work alone.
Adopt A Growth Mindset: Believe that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and consistency. Think of challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth instead of proof of failure.
The cost of inaction can be significant, leading to stagnation, missed opportunities, and undermined confidence. By defining our fears instead of our goals, we can confront the obstacles that hold us back and take steps towards personal and professional growth.