One thing that most successful people have in common is that they have managed to overcome the paralyzing effects of fear. To become successful in anything we have to take action despite being scared, to be courageous in the face of fear. So how can we develop the ability to bulldoze our way through fear? It turns out there are some simple techniques that we can practice that will help us do just that. Try these 10 ways successful people overcome fear and see for yourself how anxiety, worry and doubt can melt away in the shadow of your own inner power.
1. Stand Up Straight
It turns out one of the easiest ways to feel more confident and strong is to simply stand up straight. In her incredible
, Harvard researcher Dr. Amy Cuddy has shown that by standing or sitting in a "power pose" (
) you actually increase hormones which make you feel more confident and decrease hormones which makes you nervous and stressed. It's simple yet effective.
2. Smile
Yep, this too is simple. There is a lot of
showing that smiling can not only make you feel better, but it can also reduce your stress levels too. Lucky for you, there's no need to even read the research because you can try it anytime you want!
3. Take a Cold Shower
The thought alone of
may fill you with anxiety, but it's all about asserting control over your life. Facing a fear and overcoming it is a surefire way to develop greater self-confidence. If you've succeeded in taking a cold shower, then the next time you face a challenge, you can say to yourself, "If I can power through an ice cold shower, surely I can do this too."
4. Embrace What You Cannot Change
We cannot always control what happens
to
us, but we can choose how we
react
to what happens. Though it isn't always easy, we do have the power over our mental and emotional states, if we choose to assert our authority. Nobody else feels your fear, only you do. It exists within you. One way to increase your personal power is to recognize that which we cannot change and embrace it. Accepting what we cannot change is, paradoxically, very empowering, because we then realize that we don't need to waste our time trying to change what cannot be changed and instead work on changing ourselves and our reaction to what is happening around us.
5. Don't Think, Don't Try, Just Do
Sometimes all we need to overcome fear is to just take the first step. It is easy to get caught up in over-analyzing something and by simply jumping in and taking some action we can gain momentum. Before we know it the obstacles we feared have long been overcome.
6. Deep Breathing
In moments of stress or fear, taking a few slow, deep breaths
to relieve mental and physical stress and enhance decision-making abilities.
7. Overwhelm Negativity With Positivity
Fear comes from negative thoughts; worries of what might happen. Most fears in life never actually materialize, yet we spend so much time thinking about 'what ifs'. The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by all the scary things that
might
happen, try bombarding your mind with positive and empowering thoughts and affirmations. Affirmations really do work, but they take time and persistence.
8. Gratitude
Few emotions are as powerful as gratitude. There is no room for fear or doubt inside a grateful mind, for the feeling of gratitude takes up the entire emotional space of our being. Gratitude banishes fear. How can we induce the feeling of gratitude? One way is to start listing off all of the things you are grateful for. Life itself is a gift, your heart is a gift, the air you breathe is too. Another way is to use this
.
9. Get a Power Rock
Go outside and wander around until you find a rock or crystal that you like and is small enough to keep in your pocket. In the morning, afternoon and before sleeping hold the rock for about a minute. While you do, imagine that the rock is emanating enormous strength, power and courage and filling your entire being with radiant power. Carry the rock with you and turn to it as needed. The rock itself may not have any inherent power, but you imbue it with great power.
10. Imagine and Rehearse Success
In moments of fear, step back and imagine yourself successfully overcoming the obstacle you face. Picture yourself having already succeeded. Imagine the pats on the back and the handshakes. Really let yourself feel how it will feel when you succeed. Rehearse it over and over in your mind. This should give you a surge of confidence and direct your focus on achievement, rather than fear.
A Final Word on Fear
In the end, it helps to remember that
we
are the source of fear, not our circumstances. Sure, fear is usually a reaction to something happening around us, but the feeling of fear arises within you. Remember, if you created it, you can take it away.
This article originally appeared on Completed Thoughts. The author shares his joy and gratitude creating birthday wishes and anniversary wishes.