Use Fear as a Superpower, not a Weakness

Fear -- An emotion that is all too common to many of us. Whether we like to admit it or not.

Some of us feel it during a public speaking event. Some of us feel it as we approach the pretty girl at the bar. And some of us feel it as we sell off our possessions, quit our office jobs, and pursue a life we’ve always wanted.

Fear is a powerful emotion.

As powerful of an emotion as fear is, it is predominantly a hinderance in the modern world.

Take all the fears I listed above. What do they all have in common?

They are ALL irrational. This is not to discredit your fears. There could be valid reasons in your past that have caused you to fear speaking in front of a crowd. What I mean by an “irrational fear” is that they are not a threat to your existence, life, or well-being.

We evolved to feel fear because it’s an evolutionary and survival benefit. Fear kept our ancestors alive by avoiding dangerous situations that threatened their lives and ultimately helped project us to the top of the food chain.

In today’s world we don’t have to worry about a jaguar snatching us as we walk down 5th Ave (thankfully).

Nevertheless, fear remains.

So where do these fears go and how to they present themselves in today’s world?

They present themselves as the irrational fears that, yes, will keep you safe. But will ultimately have you living a shell of the life that you truly desire.

Allowing these irrational fears to dictate your life will keep you comfortable, stable, and secure. For many people this is all they desire in life, and that's fine.

However, if you want to live a life of excitement and adventure that will have you jumping out of your bed in the morning.

You're going to have to go in the direction of your fears.

You're going to have to take risks.

You're going to have to do what scares you.

I’m very lucky and grateful to be born an American.

As an American citizen with an American passport the world is an open door.

Being an American allows you to travel almost anywhere you desire with very little standing in your way.

More importantly, being an American presents us with opportunities that so few people have on this planet.

We have access to technology, education, and monetary opportunities that are almost impossible for some people on Earth to access. Simply because they were born on a different corner of this beautiful blue rock.

It would be a shame to allow these gifts, opportunities, and blessings go to waste.

We have the freedom to pursue the life we want with very few outside forces obstructing the direction of our dreams.

‍What is the biggest obstruction standing in our way?

Our self-proclaimed limiting beliefs.

And where do these self-proclaimed limiting beliefs stem from? You guessed it, fear.

We are blessed to be living in a day and age where we don’t have to work jobs we despise in order to survive and feed our families.

I’m a first generation American. My parents came to this country as immigrants and I’ve seen from first hand experience the endless hours they worked to provide for my sister and myself.

They had no other choice. Work hard at a job that put food on the table, period.

As an American living in 2016 we have opportunities that people couldn’t have imagined a couple decades ago. We have the opportunity to live, work, and play onour terms.

I’m a strong believer that as an American living in the 21st century, fear is the #1 factor that holds us back from living the life we truly want to live.

There are so many opportunities available to allow anyone to pursue any kind of lifestyle they want. All you have to do is dig deep, find the courage, and take action. So why are so many people working jobs they hate, to pay for things they don’t need, to impress people they don’t like?

Fear.

Fear to take action.

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of judgement.

Fear has a way of drilling itself into our minds and convincing us that the worst case scenario is what will inevitably occur.

What will happen if you quit the job you hate? 

Fear says: Your parents will disown you, you’ll go homeless, and eventually you’ll starve.

Reality: The leap of faith and courageous action to pursue the life you want to live will LIGHT a FIRE under you a$$. You will use this fear as FUEL and you will succeed because you have no other choice.

Will you be frozen by fear? Or will you use fear to fuel your life?