And the clincher: would you be prepared to do it?
If you are like the average person, you had absolutely no problem with
steps one and two; the third step would have made you feel a little
uncomfortable, and the fourth, well, the fourth probably had you running
for cover.
It's really easy to say, "I want this" and "I want that" but
the difference between the haves and the have-nots is ACTION.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who talk about what
they want and those who do something about it. The second group take
action.
Why don't more people take action? Why is it that so many people are
perfectly happy in being miserable? And they must be happy in their
situation, otherwise they'd be doing something about it, wouldn't
they.
Why is it that people choose to stay stuck? Because they are in a
comfort zone, and it's too much of a risk to step outside it.
They hold on to their fears and insecurities in much the same way a
child holds onto a security blanket.
Will these people ever have an empowered life? Probably not.
Perhaps you are wondering what causes people to react this way, either
because you don't understand it, or because this is the situation in
which you find yourself.
It could be any number of things, and each of those things has something
in common – negative emotions, for example: resentment, anger,
hostility, mistrust, suspicion, and carry grudges.
Of course it takes courage to step outside the comfort zone.
Of course it takes courage to take a risk and do anything which does not
resonate with the state to which you have become accustomed.
BUT
Isn't it worth the riches and rewards which await you?
People don't step out of their comfort zone because of fear. Fear of
what? you may ask. Fear of anything-and-everything is probably the
answer. Fear of the unknown (the "I might fail" philosophy).
[Note: if this is you, please read There Is NO Such Thing As Failure]
Fear is limiting. Fear holds us back. Fear blocks our progress. And
yet, people insist on holding on to it tightly, refusing to let it go.
In short, fear has become a security blanket.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt,
first inaugural address, 1933.
Fear is future-based. The feelings fear generates are firmly rooted in
the future. Don't believe me, then consider this:
You are out in your garden when you see a lion approaching (because
finding a lion coming into your garden is such a common occurrence
isn't it!) What happens is that your body gets an adrenaline rush as
it prepares to fight or flee (the fight and flight response). Why? At
this particular moment you are not in any danger. At this precise
moment, you can see the lion but it hasn't attacked you. And in this
now moment, the lion has not threatened you in any way and yet, you are
afraid. You are afraid of WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. The feelings you have are
because of something that might happen in the future.
And then, without warning, the lion changes its mind and leaves.
So, you did all that worrying for nothing, didn't you :-)
Okay, so it's an extreme example. However, the message it contains is
not.
We put a lot of energy into what might happen, we lose sleep over what
could happen, and lose sight of what is actually happening in the
here-and-now.
Do the thing you fear; and the death of fear is certain." Ralph Waldo
Emerson, philosopher.
Can you be like Franklin D. Roosevelt or Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Are you ready to face your fear?
Are you brave enough to step outside your comfort zone?
If the answer is yes … read on.
To get the better of fear, follow these simple steps:
1. Get comfortable. Play soothing music. Relax and take a deep
breath.
2. It's time to let fear know who's in charge – you! Don't
ignore the fear you have about having an empowered life, own it.
Name out loud any fear which are bugging you. For example: I am afraid
of being on my own. I am afraid of losing my independence. I am afraid
of being broke. I'm sure you get the general idea.
There's strength in vocalizing the fear, because once you bring it to
the front and out in the open you are better able to take charge of it.
Strengthen it even more by acknowledging that the fear you are feeling
is about something in the future.
3. Relax and take another deep breath.
4. Free-write about each fear. It can be why you are afraid, or even
what you are going to do about it. Whatever angle you choose is the
correct one for you to follow at this exact moment in your life.
Remember, when free-writing you do not stop writing. If you don't
know what to say, write that – you can always delete the gobbledegook
when you've finished.
These four steps bypass the ego – that side of you which feeds on your
fears – and help access the spiritual side of you – the side that
gives you insight.
Are you brave enough to step outside your comfort zone?
Of course you are!
Do you want to step outside your comfort zone?
Only you know the answer to that.
About the author: Barbara Rose is a mentor, coach, teacher and
alternative therapist who specializes in helping people reach their
potential at all levels (spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical).
Please visit www.barbaras-library.com for a complete list of Barbara's
articles and books. To find out more about Barbara please go to
www.barbara-rose.name.
