Ways to fight your fears | How to Overcome Fear

Fears are irrational beliefs that we have about ourselves, our actions, objects, other people or events. These fears only appear to be real within the recesses of our minds; however they have absolutely no basis in reality. Those may be fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change or fear of public speaking etc. Fear is nothing more than the uncertainty we feel about the outcomes, circumstances and about the unpredictability of future events. We don’t want to stand up on a stage and speak in front of people because we are uncertain of people’s reactions and judgments.

Your fear can create a compelling pull of resistance that pulls you away from opportunities breeding the habit of insecurity which is basically a lack of confidence that one feels about one’s abilities, slow you down and lead to many other destructive emotional projections. Fears breed destructive behaviours that disrupt you from moving forward with your life in proactive ways.

Destructive behaviours can be in the form of habits of laziness, procrastination, doubting yourself or purposefully neglecting your responsibilities. Your fear holds you back from developing a significant set of skills that will help you to attain your most required goals and objectives. Fear suppresses emotional and intellectual growth and effective decision making. If your fears are overwhelming your decisions and actions, then may indeed be pulling yourself away from prime opportunities that will allow you to develop new talents and abilities.

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Understand through Validation

Question your fears which will open new possibilities and understandings that will further help you to overcome them in a rational and proactive way. Validate the existence of your fear (even though they are just irrational projections of your mind) in a way that will throw a little doubt and uncertainty your way. Ask yourselves if this fear justifiable and if it does actually make any sense.

Learn to understand your fears at a deeper and more reflective way, which can be accomplished by moving back through time in order to gain a realization of how your fears came into existence. Such exercise provides you with a psychological strength and certainty that there is in fact a reason and meaning behind every behaviour, habit, decision, and action that you make within your life.

Certainty will likewise provide you with a sense of confidence that will further strengthen you resolve and move you forward in the right direction to help you overcome the blockades and setbacks in your life. Identify the potential losses that will come to outward if you continue to hold onto this fear, while on the other hand acknowledge the
potential gains that you are likely to achieve if you successfully overcome this fear in a rational and proactive way. Effectively determine how you will deal with your fear from an emotional, physical, and psychological perspective.

Read biographies of people who overcame fears successfully to gain confidence and assurance that you too can also successfully do that. Watch some inspirational movies about those people, who have overcome great and seemingly challenging obstacles. This will certainly provide you with the confidence you need to move beyond your fears.

See the Future – Leave your fears

Fears can overcome by people by envisioning the future possibilities. It
can be done like this.

• Transform their perspective about their potential, abilities, skills, and strengths in ways that will help them to soar to new heights of achievement.
• Transform their perspective about other people and circumstances in order to help them identify the seeds of opportunity hidden within the problems and fears that are currently confronting their reality.

Visualize yourself overcoming your fear successfully again and again within your imagination. While doing this, make sure to utilize all your senses in order to intensely make the experience feel as real as possible.
Gain some unique insights from other people’s experiences, strategies, techniques and tactics that they used to overcome their own personal fears.

Helping another person to overcome their fears can lead to potentially life transforming insights that will prepare you for your own personal life challenges. Instead of building upon the fear, twist your belief and faith in the opposite direction and cultivate confidence in yourself and your abilities with which you can successfully overcome this fear in a rational and proactive way.

Relax to face your fears

Face and confront your fear head-on. In this process some manageable fears can actually work very well. Before taking this step, first get your fear to a manageable state.
Learn to teach yourself how to relax, how to find calmness and peace within your body and mind. Learn to shut-off and direct your mind and body inwards when you sense a fear is about to overpower you. Your thoughts trigger your irrational fears of behaviour. You cannot experience the emotion of fear without first having a thought about it. Simply take time to shut down your thoughts or redirect them away from your fear and redirect to the aspects of your life that bring great pleasure, confidence and certainty. Take time to laugh at your pointless and irrational fears that have absolutely no basis in reality. Laughter is a great form of therapy that could very well provide the power you need to help you overcome your fears.

Simple and instant Tips

Here are some tips you can rely on. Keep them in mind to make them indirectly work on improving you, out of your fears.

Cultivate courage

Courage can introduce you to a world of unimaginable possibilities and unexpected learning that strengthen to move you into action despite any contradictory feelings that might weaken within your heart. Courage is the key that will open many doors of opportunity, while moving you through seemingly impossible obstacles that are standing in your way. Accept full responsibility for your behaviours, decisions and actions no matter what results or outcomes you experience in reality.

Develop faith

With faith comes belief, and with belief comes a sense of confidence that helps you to move beyond the obstacles that are standing in your way.

Cultivate patience

With patience comes rational thinking, which encourages better and more proactive decision-making, to break through the fear ridden obstacles standing in your way.

Believe in you

Develop an unwavering belief in your own ability by attaining a positive outcome. Believe that you will achieve your goals and objectives despite your irrational fears.

Find out the opportunities

Find hidden opportunities around every corner. Within every obstacle, there lies a seed of hidden opportunity that you can take advantage of, to move forward along your journey towards attaining your goals and objectives.

Help your mind to think better!!

Fear can also an Unhelpful thought that springs from the unhelpful emotions we already have in mind such as anxiety, stress, depression etc. Once we are able to identify our unhelpful thoughts, we can then learn to tackle them and so, challenge them. So, learn to face your fears with the techniques discussed above and believe in yourself that you are what you think you are. Seeking an expert’s help in overcoming your fears in mind and helping your mind to think better, is a much better idea rather than ignoring or leaving your problems to luck. If you are unable to succeed in controlling your fears, in spite of trying hard, speak to a professional counsellor who can help you get out of the burrow. Go ahead and face the life. Book an appointment today.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are fears, and how do they affect us?

• Fears are irrational beliefs we have about ourselves, our actions, objects, other people, or events. They have no basis in reality and can hinder personal growth and progress.

2. What are some common types of fears people experience?

• Common types of fears include fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change, fear of public speaking, and many others.

3. How do fears manifest in our behaviour?

• Fears can lead to destructive behaviours such as procrastination, self-doubt, laziness, and neglecting responsibilities, among others.

4. How can I overcome my fears in a rational and proactive way?

• One way is to question your fears and ask if they are justifiable or if they make any sense. You can also identify the potential losses and gains associated with your fears and develop strategies to overcome them.

5. Can reading biographies and watching inspirational movies help in overcoming fears?

• Yes, learning about people who have successfully overcome their fears can provide inspiration and confidence to face your own fears.

6. How can I relax and face my fears when they become overwhelming?

• Learning relaxation techniques and redirecting your thoughts away from your fears can help. Confronting your fears head-on, when they are manageable, is another effective approach.

7. What role does courage play in overcoming fears?

• Courage is essential in facing fears and opening doors to new possibilities. It helps you take action despite contradictory feelings.

8. How can I develop faith in myself to overcome fears?

• Believing in yourself and your ability to achieve positive outcomes is a crucial step. Faith leads to belief, which in turn, boosts your confidence.

9. Why is patience important in overcoming fears?

• Patience encourages rational thinking, which can lead to better decision-making and the ability to break through fear-related obstacles.

10. When should I consider seeking professional help to overcome my fears?

• If your fears persist despite your efforts, or if they are significantly affecting your daily life, it’s advisable to seek help from a professional counsellor or therapist who specializes in addressing fears and anxiety.

11. How can I challenge unhelpful thoughts related to my fears?

• Identifying unhelpful thoughts and challenging them is a part of overcoming fears. Seeking the guidance of a mental health professional can be beneficial in this process.

12. How do I book an appointment with a professional counsellor if I need help with my fears?

• To book an appointment with a professional counsellor, you can contact a local mental health clinic, therapist, or counsellor’s office. Many also offer online booking services for convenience.

About the Author:

Prapoorna Mangalampalli, Psychologist

Prapoorna, an author with dual master’s degrees in Psychology and English, excels in exploring and enhancing human experiences. Her writing, characterized by deep empathy and insight, primarily focuses on the complexities of counseling, spanning areas such as online, marital, relationship, child, family, and career counseling. Specialized training in various counseling sectors underscores her dedication to positive change. In her blogs, Prapoorna offers valuable guidance and a unique perspective for parents of children with Autism and special needs, creating a supportive community in this realm.