Conquer Your Fears

Like every worthwhile endeavor, pursuing your dreams will involve overcoming some obstacles. Two major bugbears are fear and doubt; but perhaps the biggest fear is failure.

Remember that “failures” usually amount to nothing more than setbacks, and they often result in new opportunities. Here are some ways that you can overcome your fears:

• Get your fears down on paper. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then ask, “What’s the worst that could happen as a result of that?” Write it down, and decide if this worst-case scenario would be catastrophic. If you’re not willing to take those risks, maybe you need to rethink the dream you're pursuing.
• Make a list to counterbalance your fears with the ultimate question: “How will I feel when I’m 90 years old and realize that I didn't pursue this?” People fear risk, but often a greater fear is not taking one.
• If you have specific fears, address them. If you worry you won’t have enough money, start saving now. If you’re afraid of looking like a failure to others, resolve to only be held accountable to yourself. If you fear you’re not qualified, write out a list of your strengths and how they apply to your dream.
• Talk to a friend or family member about your fears. Getting a different perspective on your fears can do wonders to subdue them. You may realize that living your dream is not as hard as you thought.