Sometimes when I need to venture out and do something new, the fear can almost be paralyzing for me. So I began to really focus on my feelings when I am outside my comfort zone. I have heard it said that fear and excitement feel very similar in our body. So I thought back to when I felt like this previously trying to recall a time I experienced this feeling before only with more excitement than fear. I had to go back to when I was in high school playing basketball for the school team.
It was the feeling before every game. It started in the locker room as we would mentally prepare and Coach would go over the game plan one last time. Then we would walk out onto the court and the anticipation would begin to increase and continue during warm-ups. Then just like that, the feeling would be gone with the opening tip.
I realize two things about this feeling: First, this feeling of fear and excitement is my friend and secondly, there is a key ingredient that will minimize the fear and maximize excitement.
Can a little fear be good?
When playing basketball, there were a few times, before a game, this feeling was not present. These were the games against opponents that we had blown out before or knew we should beat. It was difficult to get “up” for those games and it showed. I would usually play sloppy and make quite a few mental mistakes. The fear and excitement sharpens our focus and prepares our body for the task in front of us. It places importance upon an event that forces us to focus our mind and energy on the task before us. Just don’t let the fear dominate.
The elixir for fear
The second thing I realized from my "glory days", the best cure for fear is preparation. The more we practiced and prepared for our opponent, the more our level of excitement would rise and at the same time, the fear would be minimized.
People really like this feeling of fear and excitement. They just don't realize it. Think about it. That's why horror films and roller coasters are so popular. So why is it that some things we look forward to with great anticipation and others we dread even though our body experiences the same feelings? Maybe it's the level of preparation required? It doesn't take much preparation to see to see a horror film; you buy your ticket and find a seat. On the other hand, if you need to give a speech in front of a large audience, it may require quite a bit of practice before the fear is less than the excitement.
How can you turn fear into excitement the next time you find yourself out of your comfort zone?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Why Invest in Yourself?
The Gift of Frustration
Life was not hitting on all cylinders for me and for a long time and I was resigned to the fact that this was just the way it was going to be. But I kept driving forward hoping the “Check Engine” light flashing brightly in front of me would eventually turn off on its own. The frustration kept gnawing away at me, though, to the point where it was getting harder and harder to ignore.
True Change
I’ve always known where the frustration originates, but I didn’t know how to change it. It was my boss, the job, the economy, my career choice, my family, the lack of opportunity, the wrong people in congress and the list goes on. If I could change these things my life would be so much better. There in lies the problem- how do I change all these things? What a daunting task. It wasn’t until I heard the words of the great business philosopher, Jim Rohn, that I realized the real crux of the problem. Jim said, “For things to change, you must change.” It is so easy to focus on the things we can’t change and so hard to look at the one thing we can change.
The Adventure Begins
We were meant to live a life of passion and purpose- not just “get by” and survive. The key to a better life starts with you. I do not say this as a seasoned traveler; instead, as one who has merely seen a glimpse of the possibilities and prefers not to travel alone.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” Henry David Thoreau
Life was not hitting on all cylinders for me and for a long time and I was resigned to the fact that this was just the way it was going to be. But I kept driving forward hoping the “Check Engine” light flashing brightly in front of me would eventually turn off on its own. The frustration kept gnawing away at me, though, to the point where it was getting harder and harder to ignore.
True Change
I’ve always known where the frustration originates, but I didn’t know how to change it. It was my boss, the job, the economy, my career choice, my family, the lack of opportunity, the wrong people in congress and the list goes on. If I could change these things my life would be so much better. There in lies the problem- how do I change all these things? What a daunting task. It wasn’t until I heard the words of the great business philosopher, Jim Rohn, that I realized the real crux of the problem. Jim said, “For things to change, you must change.” It is so easy to focus on the things we can’t change and so hard to look at the one thing we can change.
The Adventure Begins
We were meant to live a life of passion and purpose- not just “get by” and survive. The key to a better life starts with you. I do not say this as a seasoned traveler; instead, as one who has merely seen a glimpse of the possibilities and prefers not to travel alone.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” Henry David Thoreau
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Last Frontier
There is a place that still has not been conquered by man and even though a few have made the journey, they have still not begun to see all that this place has to offer. Yes, some have made the trek to this place and returned to tell the stories of great fortune and adventure. Others tell of the great risks and pain of such a foolish endeavor. Some turn white and knees buckle at even the thought of such a perilous expedition. Some are “preparing” to make the journey some day, but will probably never actually get past talking about it. Some have heard how challenging and difficult it can be and really dislike the thought of such work and discomfort.
I have heard the critics and the cynics, yet, I cannot help but wonder if the rumors are true; both the good and the bad. Unfortunately or fortunately, there is only one way to find out.
What is this strange, unexplored frontier where so few have tread? A place the vast majority will never see. A place of great risk and great riches. A place common to us all and yet so foreign and unknown. A path all can take, but few will choose. What is this mysterious place that I speak? It is the journey within.
It will be uncomfortable, exhausting and can even be down-right scary at times. On the other hand, it will be exciting, fulfilling and you will do and see more than you ever thought possible.
Some might say: “I would take this journey if only…If only I had the time, money, energy; if only I was younger, smarter, more experienced”. The only thing one should consider is looking back and wondering “How things might have been different if only I dared to take the journey”.
Dream Big - Do Big!
I have heard the critics and the cynics, yet, I cannot help but wonder if the rumors are true; both the good and the bad. Unfortunately or fortunately, there is only one way to find out.
What is this strange, unexplored frontier where so few have tread? A place the vast majority will never see. A place of great risk and great riches. A place common to us all and yet so foreign and unknown. A path all can take, but few will choose. What is this mysterious place that I speak? It is the journey within.
It will be uncomfortable, exhausting and can even be down-right scary at times. On the other hand, it will be exciting, fulfilling and you will do and see more than you ever thought possible.
Some might say: “I would take this journey if only…If only I had the time, money, energy; if only I was younger, smarter, more experienced”. The only thing one should consider is looking back and wondering “How things might have been different if only I dared to take the journey”.
Dream Big - Do Big!
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