Now that you’ve spent time on end-of-year reflection and introspection, you’ve probably started thinking about setting goals for the coming new year, maybe even going so far as to create a list of resolutions. What if you didn’t come up with a long list of changes you want to make this year? What if, instead, you picked ONE WORD? What one word might summarize your goals and desires for the coming year? Hopefully, the process of reflection and introspection will provide clarity by taking all your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single focus: one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future. What one word might serve you well to always have in the back of your mind as you navigate each day of the coming year?
When I started reflecting on what one word I’d like to guide me through 2016, I realized that far too often throughout my lifetime I let fear be my guide, which only serves to hold me back. So for 2016, my ONE WORD is “fearless“. As I’ve gotten older, I know one thing for sure. I have this one life right now, and it will come to an end on some real day in the future. What’s the point of living it in fear? I have things to do. I have great things to do! So I intend to do them. Fear be damned!
Following are 7 powerful tips I’ve come across to help me become fearless:
1. Start by becoming aware. Notice when you experience feelings of fear (you’d be surprised how much of our time is spent unconsciously experiencing fear, worries, and anxiety).
2. Next time you notice the fear inside you, remind yourself that it’s ‘all in the mind’ and that ‘80% of fears NEVER HAPPEN’.
3. Ask yourself – what’s the worst thing that can happen if I do this?
4. Write down a few ways to deal with the worst case scenario – often when we get our thoughts out of our heads and down onto paper the fear will disappear.
5. Ask yourself – ‘how is this fear impacting my life?’ It’s important to realize what you’ve got to lose by staying paralyzed by fear
6. Take a deep breath and tackle your fear head-on – you may be surprised to find that ‘it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be’.
7. High five yourself for being ‘FEARLESS’ – you could even reward yourself afterwards for all your hard work.
Source: MindBodyGreen
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