Search:

The New F Word: Fear

By: Deborah Battersby

Have you noticed how people's fears are growing like the Hulk on steroids? It seems anywhere you turn you find people with increased stress and increasingly shorter fuses. And with good reason - lots of good reasons.

Maybe you're experiencing it too . . . or someone very close to you is. Fear can keep you up at night, tie your muscles in knots, wreak havoc on your digestive system or stop you in your tracks.

Why? Because we don't know what its true purpose is or how to use it effectively. Since it doesn't feel good we assume it's bad.

Fight and Flight: Instinctive Behavior

Encoded in the DNA to ensure survival as a species we flee or fight when in danger. Discomfort of any kind is interpreted as a threat and instinct kicks in.

You fight things off by suppressing emotions, pretending they aren't there. You flee by focusing your attention on anything that can make you feel better in the moment: food, sex, TV or any known form of addiction on the planet. Denial and distraction become behavior patterns of choice because they provide immediate, though temporary, relief.

Stop, Look, and Listen!

Instead of denying, running and hiding we can stop and pay attention. I've discovered that every emotion has a job to do, an important job, one that is always designed for our greater well being. What does that mean? It means that the emotions/feelings you experience regardless of how uncomfortable they are, come to serve you in some positive way.

If that's true, then what is fear supposed to do for you? Based on actual responses from hundreds of clients, fear comes to protect you. It wants to alert or warn you to be aware of your surroundings. Be watchful, careful, and accurately assess the environment so that you can take the best course of action. It activates all your senses/systems to high alert so you can do whatever is necessary to move forward safely.

Fear also calls courage into action. Courage is only awakened in the face of fear and is strengthened as it moves through it. Fear is only meant to stop you when the action you're about to take is potentially lethal or the risk far outweighs any possible benefit.

Next time you have a negative feeling, stop for a moment. Notice its location in your physical body. Direct your focus to that place and ask: If you are here for my good, what do you want me to see, do or understand? Then just be quiet and listen, notice what comes to you.

Article Source: http://www.newarticledaily.com

Debbie Battersby, speaker & success coach, has helped thousands transform their lives as an elite Master Trainer with world renowned performance expert Tony Robbins' leadership programs. Get her FREE e-book, "7 Steps to Turn Goal Setting Into Goal Getting" at www.Your7thSense.com/gift.html

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Personal Development Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Personal Development

Is It Really So Nice To Be Nice? - By : JOHN HARDY
Setting Boundaries: Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Setting Boundaries - By : Terry Crosby
Feeling Burnt Out and Blue? Take Action Now - By : Liz Labrum
Instant Motivation With One Move - By : Kerry Sullivan
Achieving Success - Defining Success and How You Can Become More Successful - By : Nickolove Lovemore
3 Success Essentials for Success - By : Calvin Woon
Learning Dim Mak Techniques Comes Great Responsibility - By : A. Thomas Perhacs
The Intricacies Of The Teenage Brain - By : Art Gib
Philanthropic Activities That Help With Corporate Team Building - By : Art Gib
Reach your Destination with a New Set of Directions - By : Debora McLaughlin

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

New Stuff
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Find us in these directories!
Ranking Web Directory
Resource Central Directory
Free Website Directory