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I remember I was nervous. I was not too fond of heights. Now I was over ten feet up, which seems higher when you're on it versus beneath it. Here I was. It was a mandatory part of the equation.
The swim tests. A leap from a ten-foot platform into an Olympic-sized pool. Then a swim of over 50 yards and get out, which is easy if you're a good swimmer.
While I had learned how to swim, I am not a strong swimmer. Something that happens when you don't ever go swimming.
I knew how to swim and could perform my limbs' functions to allow me to swim. However, a critical component of swimming is cardio. It is exhausting.
I couldn't make it on the first try and had to do it again. Although I contend that they grabbed me early, I could've made it.
Before I went back, I was nervous. The nervousness hit a fevered pitch once my toes dangled over the edge. The second time was still nerve-wracking for me.
I leaped and made the swim.
Fear sets in before the action. Sometimes, before the concept ever has a chance. Fear of the reception, the comments, or a lack of appreciation.
That is the hard part. People may not like what you poured your heart and soul into to complete. It's okay.
For some, posting social media posts is their moment at the front of the line. The place where fear joins in with anxiety.
The fear is reasonable. It is the right way to go.
Humans have spent centuries listening to their fears. There is a time to face them.
I had to overcome a lack of confidence in the water to join the military and a fear of heights. I later climbed rock climbing, swam more, and overcame those fears.
Not every fear is so simple. Our fears are sometimes irrational. You will have to travel through fear to reach where you want to go. Here are some ways to overcome the nerves and fear.
Take a Leap
Now and then, the only action is to jump.
Take the chance.
Take the risk.
I could spend word counts discussing the virtue of research, which is essential. Sometimes you must jump.
If you see an opportunity, take it. There was a great story I may have already shared. It came from Goalcast, but I don't remember the speaker. It was about how his mother was about to lose her restaurant.
The landlord was in foreclosure, and the bank would sell the building. The likeliest outcome was eviction.
There was an auction, and she decided to show up. There were very few people at the event as it began. After all, maybe she could reason with the new owners.
The bidding began, and the interest in the property was low. She bid for it. And bid. And bid. Eventually, she won the auction for $30,000. She didn't have that much.
She asked everyone she knew. She canvassed strangers, and on day thirty, the deadline came through with the funds.
She owned the building her restaurant operated in.
These things are risky, but sometimes the risk is what you need.
Try a Little at a Time
Expose yourself to little fears. When coaching people in public speaking, I encourage them to talk to strangers—specifically, people who work at stores. Ask them questions.
Face your fears in low-risk environments to build up your immunity. In The Princess Bride, the lead character built up an immunity to poison.
Later, when confronting an evil Sicilian, he poisons both of their cups and survives to win the princess, for the moment at least.
By exposing ourselves to our fears in bite sizes, they can be more manageable if we fear heights or rock climbing in a gym. You'll have safety harnesses and protection from significant dangers.
If you fear your art getting ravaged by comments, share it with a small group first. Get their opinions.
Be Honest with Yourself
You know what works for you as far as learning. Either you are a little at a time or in total immersion. I needed to immerse myself in my fears fully. I would never do the little-by-little process.
You must be honest with who you are as a person. If you are not, or never wanted, to be this person, then don't. Understand you made a choice.
You insult yourself and curse yourself out for failure. Sometimes it takes the David Goggins method. Other times it may take a baby-steps approach.
We all have our preferred ways of learning. Find yours and implement it. You can try again if you try one way and it doesn't work.
If it doesn't work after a few tries, you may want to explore another option. Don't make excuses for yourself.
What's Next?
Fear is part of life. It can grow the closer you get to your goals or an event. The expectation of a big presentation, a big moment, can create anxiety.
You need to face it down and power through it. For a deeper dive into this topic check this out.
Don't be afraid to jump. Sometimes there is no advice; you have to take the risk.
Expose yourself to your fears on more minor scales. Build up your comfort levels rather than jump right in.
The big key is, to be honest with yourself. Some people need to jump in fully, or they'll never go. Understand who you are and do what's best for you.
Whatever you do, push forward. Fears are natural but don't let them stop you from reaching your goals. Find the most effective strategy and conquer those fears.