5 Steps To Keep Fear From Limiting You
Aug 10, 2020
It may surprise some people who know me that I’m not a big fan of heights.
I’ve never really liked to be up in trees too high nor any place where there is lots of space between me and the ground.
Yet when I was a senior in college, I went through training to become a Private Pilot. Then I got my Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot’s license and finally my Certified Flight Instructor certificate. There was something different about being in an enclosed cockpit with and engine and wings that got my thrill-meter going.
The first time I executed a wing stall, I momentarily freaked but then loved the feeling of the aircraft buffeting a bit before losing the lift in the wings and pitching down to seek the lift. Until my instructor showed me that this particular aircraft would naturally seek it’s own lift, I had a fear of the stall.
My instructor told me if I just let go of the yoke, the aircraft would gain lift again.
Let go?
Are you crazy?
But when I learned to press into the fear by listening to him, I found how do change my perception of what would happen. I overcame my feelings.
We all have fears and limiting beliefs that keep us from getting what we say that we want. I see this all the time as I coach leaders from all industries and levels of organizations.
And many times we are unaware of our limiting beliefs until someone picks up on it and asks a question to probe whether there is truth to that belief.
It is this time of year that we tend to bump up against our fears and limiting beliefs without sometimes noticing. For example, when you set your goals for this year, how did you know it was the right goal? How did you come up with your sales/revenue/new business number? Why not lower? What is your motivation for achieving that target?
One thing I know for sure is that in order to get different (bigger, better, you add the adjective) results, you’re going to navigate change. Whether it’s natural change, directed change or forced change, if you want to get to a target, you’ll have to find and approach your limiting beliefs through the change process.
A little over a year ago I faced my fear head on. I completed the Via Ferrata in Telluride, Colorado. (check it out here: http://www.telluridemountainclub.org/via-ferrata/). It’s a horizontal traverse along a cliff face that seems like it’s about 800-900 feet down to the valley floor.
(ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little but did you see that picture? That’s me in the red helmet)
Yes, I was scared but I knew that I wanted to do this thing.
How did I overcome what I was feeling when I stepped off that safe ledge and clipped myself into the cable?
Here are the 5 things I did to overcome my fear limitation an how I navigated the process:
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I went with people who knew the way. One of the guys I went with had done it before and was a very experienced mountaineer. I’ve found that whenever I want to do something new or achieve a goal that I’ve never accomplished before, it’s always wise to have someone guide my journey. It’s how I was able to write an ebook in 2016 – something I had never done before. I had a guide who is an experienced writer and coach. Seek out mentors, coaches and people who have journeyed where you want to go.
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I changed my perspective. Because this little adventure on the Via Ferrata had serious consequences if I didn’t do it right, I focused. My perspective was on the very next step. I didn’t need to know what was around the corner because all I cared about was making the very next move. Unclip one carabiner, clip in beyond the bolt. Unclip next carabiner, clip it in beyond the bolt. Careful, methodical, focused. Whatever your fear is, take a methodical, one-step-at-a-time, focused approach.
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Peer accountability for what I wanted. I was with guys who I knew well and when I said “yes, I’m in”, they knew I’d follow through. Having a group of peers to voluntarily hold myself accountable to something that I want to do has been critical to achieving and going beyond my own perspective and limiting beliefs. Who do you have as your peer “board of directors” that hold you to what you say that you want? (contact me to find out about my Leadership Forums if you need to find your own board)
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My own sense of adventure. I like to plan things and then execute the plans but there is something to be said for living in the moment and having a sense of adventure. I’ve found that my curiosity and desire to get the most out of this life that God has given me gets me out of my comfort zone quite often. Be willing to get yourself out of your comfort zone more frequently so that you can experience things that may be holding you back from your full potential.
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Like Nike, I Just Did It. Action always moves us beyond our fears and limiting beliefs. I got in the vehicle that took me to the trail then I stepped off the ledge. All were intentional actions that took me in the direction I wanted to go. I could have stayed in the cabin looking at the mountain but I got out there and clipped into the cable then stepped on to the iron foot and hand holds. One of the things I talk about in my ebook “Navigating Change for High Performing Leaders” is that without action, we don’t have a response to change. We have an idea in our mind. Action gets us on the playing field of change.
What is on your goal list this year?
How could fear hinder you from achieving your most important goals that you’ve set for yourself?
What change will you encounter?
Use these five steps to get yourself past your limitations.
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