How to Overcome Anxiety and Fear
You can overcome your anxiety and fear if you change the fear of the unknown to a process of making an informed confident decision. If anxiety is holding you back from accomplishing your goals, then take the time to work through your fears.
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Instructions
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Name Your Fears and the Reasons for Your Anxiety
Pull out a piece of paper and list out the things that you have always wanted to do but are too fearful of doing. Identify exactly what makes you anxious. Divide the page up into two columns and beside each goal on your list, write down your feelings of fear and the reasons that stop you from moving forward. Be honest with yourself. Name all your fears and the reasons for your anxiety. Realize that your anxieties are a protective mechanism that is triggered because you feel vulnerable and are trying to prevent yourself from getting hurt. If you have a way of rationally counteracting every "what might happen" fear, you will be able to take large strides forward.
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Question Your Anxiety
Now do some research and see if the reasons for your anxiety are actually valid. If you think you will look foolish while trying out a new activity, watch other people participating in the same activity. Is anyone laughing or talking about the participants? Are there people of all ages participating? Is there a risk of injury? Is there a safety net/support system? If you see that many others have accomplished what you want to accomplish, you can gain strength and inspiration from their achievements and realize that just "maybe" your anxiety can be overcome . There will be some instances where your fear is valid and you really shouldn't be taking a risk with lets say your investing strategy when your job is unstable. In other cases as you go through your list of fears, you can invalidate them based on reality.
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Use Exposure Therapy to Change Your Mindset
Next, use exposure therapy to overcome your fear. If you are afraid of going rock climbing, go watch till you're comfortable with being around the wall and people climbing. Watch various techniques and safety mechanisms. Take a class for beginners and slowly get comfortable with climbing up a gym wall. Once you have the skill, venture outdoors with a team of people so you have a support system. If you are afraid of interviewing, research your potential employer. Overcome your fears by having friends and family mock interview you thoroughly. Be prepared to answer anything pertaining to your resume. Ask yourself what you would ask if you were the interviewer and be prepared with answers. Turn the unknown into as much of a known as possible so you have a sense of control over the situation and minimize your anxiety.
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Be Kind to Yourself
Always be compassionate with yourself and tell yourself that there is always a next time. You will build up to your final goal as you change fears into certainty as you go through this process. You can overcome anxiety and fear by being patient with yourself.
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Tips & Warnings
Take incremental steps and build up to accomplishing your goal of eliminating a specific fear.
Applaud yourself for every tiny step forward.
Distinguish between informed risks that have the potential of bettering your life and rash and reckless behavior. Don't take a risk just for the sake of taking a risk.
Note: Please seek professional help for an anxiety disorder or if you have severe fears. This article is intended to provide information on a different way to approach every day anxiety that may be holding you back.
Resources
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