Do Not Let Fear Limit Your Full Potential

Fear. You know that feeling, we all do – sweaty palms, tight chest, rapid heartbeat, and short breaths. Fear is a vital aspect of the animal instinct we all have to survive. Fear protects you from fighting an unbeatable predator, from walking into the potentially dangerous territory. But, in the modern world, where does fear come into play? In the world today, fear does not only present itself as a protective instinct we all need.

The Fear Response To produce a fear response in the modern world, danger does not need to be present. We all have imaginative minds, making us quick to identify stimuli that we think will give us an unwelcome response. If are like most people, you have felt nervous to finish a task, only to grasp that the danger you had feared was not present. What you experienced was an imagined fear; as a way to protect yourself. This is common.

Fear can be buried in many different stimuli. The most common concerns include:

• Being wrong

• Missing out

• Not being good enough

• Being victimized

If possible, many people avoid those situations. But, does the yearning to avoid them outweigh potential benefits they may miss out on? Would you speak up more often if you did not fear being wrong? Would you start that hobby you have always want to try but were afraid of not being good enough? In today’s world, fear can manifest in numerous ways that can limit your potential.

The great news is that you are not trapped. Just as some fears are learned, fears can also be unlearned. Understanding ways to acknowledge, question, and determine your fears can help you move forward in your life. Talking to a professional about how you can overcome these obstacles is the first step towards unlimited potential. Contact me today!

Shawna Crabill LMFT, Charleston, SC