Fear is a liar. Vol. 3
Fear is a driving force for a lot of folks.
Quitting on good ideas. Hitting eject when the going gets tough.
A popular sentiment circulating online encapsulates this well: "97% of people who quit too soon work for the 3% who refused to give up."
While the accuracy of this stat is debatable, the sentiment is undeniable: Most people throw in the towel way too soon, driven by frustration and fear.
Which is why I wanted to share some solid reasons to encourage you to keep going:
You've survived every bad day and setback so far.
Sticking with it for another month won't kill you.
You still have more to give.
You haven't exhausted all your options yet.
You have a lot more to learn.
Failure does not define you.
The reward of persevering is worth the sacrifice.
Your efforts have not been in vain.
You've proven you can bounce back.
You haven't forgotten why you started.
Many people will benefit if you follow through.
The flip-side of fear is faith.
You are not defined by your past.
Your work will make the world better.
You are stronger and more resilient than you realize.
Reading this far means you still have fight in you.
Believe it or not, fear has been quantified in the American Fear Index (AFI), which tracks fear-inducing terms in the media. America’s top fears include loved ones dying, illness, mass shootings, financial instability, and political corruption.
While most of these fears are out of our direct control, focusing on the "what is" rather than the "what ifs" can help us manage anxiety.
FEAR can mean "F*&% Everything And Run" or "Face Everything And Respond."
How we define it will determine the quality of direction of our lives. Choosing to face fear with compassion, courage, and confidence is crucial.
Reflecting on my own journey, I've realized that fear and self-sabotaging behaviors have kept me from truly living. Two self-limiting beliefs I had to confront were the belief that I had something to prove and the feeling that I would never fit in.
These myths isolated me and prevented me from experiencing genuine community and love.
Over the past few years, I've stopped running from fear and started embracing truth and vulnerability. I've learned to love myself, which has made me less needy and easier to be around.
The lies I used to tell myself, like needing to keep my defenses up or figuring everything out alone, only isolated me further.
Self-sabotage, often rooted in fear of success, keeps us from reaching our potential. We prefer the known over the unknown and safety over risk. But stepping out of this comfort zone is essential for growth.
I've stopped undervaluing myself and now welcome responsibility and challenges. Success is subjective, and the only scorecard that matters is the one I set for myself.
This message is for those struggling with a fear-driven life. Realize that life isn't about worthiness but about embracing grace and possibility. When you understand this, you'll find a reservoir of potential within you.
We have to pay attention to how fear manifests in life and challenge it. Because there’s so much waiting for us on the other side of our fears.
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On the other side of fear is a world of even greater possibility, growth, and self-awareness. By facing fear instead of running from it, you can:
Unlock New Levels of Resilience: You’ve already navigated countless challenges successfully, proving your strength. Facing new fears will only enhance your resilience.
Attain Deeper Fulfillment: Persevering through new challenges will bring deeper rewards and a heightened sense of accomplishment.
Maximize Your Potential: Despite your success, there is always more to learn and more to achieve. By confronting fear, you can unlock untapped potential and capabilities.
Redefine Success on Your Terms: Success is subjective and should evolve with you. Overcoming fear allows you to redefine what success means personally and professionally.
Make Real Connections: By overcoming any lingering self-sabotaging behaviors, you can deepen your relationships and experience true community and connection.
Find Strength in Vulnerability: Embracing vulnerability, even as a successful individual, leads to personal growth and more meaningful interactions.
Shift from Confidence to Self-Belief: Channeling the energy from fear into courage helps you transition from external confidence to deep, internal self-belief.
Build Confidence: Trusting yourself in the face of new uncertainties strengthens your sense of security and self-assurance.
Create a Lasting Impact: Your efforts will lead to an even greater positive impact on the world, benefiting not only yourself but also those around you.
Ultimately, on the other side of fear lies an elevated life of courage, authenticity, and fulfillment, where we can continue to thrive and make an even greater impact.
Here's to persevering and discovering what we’re truly capable of.
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Steve Knox | Louisville, KY
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