We all experience fear on some level. Fear is so common, and it runs through all our lives. For many of us, fear rules everything and prevents us from reaching our true potential. Some of us have heard of the acronym for fear which is False Evidence Appearing Real. Others have used the acronym Forget Everything And Run.

Whatever way you look at fear, there are ways to handle fear and deal with fear in a healthy manner. Fear does not and should not paralyze you from achieving the results you want. Fear should be ad-dressed as a motivator and not as something you should run away from. Whenever a person experiences fear, it paralyzes action. It shuts down the brain and causes the person to revert to the fight or flight reaction or mode.

One of the best breakthroughs in success psychology is the concept of utilizing the law of reversibility. This principle is implemented by developing the courage you desire by disciplining yourself repeatedly to do the thing you fear until the fear eventually disappears. Fortunately, we are not born with fears, they are learned. Fears can therefore be unlearned by practicing self-discipline repetitively until that fear dissipates.

Visualization is a powerful morning ritual that can heavily play in your favor. By visualizing yourself acting or performing with confidence and competence in an area where you are fearful, your images will tap into the subconscious mind as instructions for your performance in that scenario. Your physiology and posture can also be modified to change how your mind perceives your environment. Think about the posture of a confident individual versus a “fearful” posture. Just by getting into a confident posture can change your outlook on that particular fear.

Another huge tip to confronting your fears is to confront that fear immediately. Your ability to confront your fear in spite of what you think about the fear is the key to happiness and success. The longer you stew and harp over what you are afraid of, the more power and energy you bring to that fear. Confronting the fearful situation head on and immediately, renders the fear powerless and minimizes the effect it will have on you.

Another way to minimize the effect fear has on you is to discipline yourself to move towards whatever is fearful and in your way. Moving towards your fear instead of running from it or turning away from it, minimizes the significance of the fear and makes it more manageable.

In proverbs 23:7 it says that our thoughts have the creative ability to determine what we become. A negative mind produces a negative life. A positive affirmation or writing down a list of things to be grateful for, first thing in the morning will steer your attitude for the day. Starting off your day focusing on your fears, will only bring more fear. The old saying energy flows where energy goes is absolutely true.

What you focus on, you will bring about, so start the first 10-15 minutes of your day focusing on being fearless about whatever situation is bringing you fear or anxiety. Molding your views in a positive vantage point changes the scope of your mind and thoughts about the situation which will lead to favorable actions.

Give these tips a shot this week and discipline yourself to start your day with a focus on overcoming your fears rather than your fears overcoming you. After the first week of doing this, you will see and feel a difference which will encourage you to keep going. Before you know it, you have created some powerful habits of overcoming your fears.

Peace and love, Dr. Mike