Several years, I was listening to a radio talk show hosted by a psychologist. A young woman caller said, "I just got accepted to medical school!"
"Congratulations!" said the host. "That's terrific."
"And," the caller admitted, "I'm scared to death."
"Of course you are!" said the host. "Just don't be paralyzed. Keep going. Work in and through the fear."
I was reminded of that call recently, when someone said, "People who go through transitions are fearful."
"And well they should be!" I replied. "There's a lot to be afraid of in a transition."
"That's negative!"
"During a transition, you've got lots of things going on. And lots of people are standing by, waiting to take your money. You'd do well to be scared."
"But fear is bad."
"No. fear can be your friend. Fear is a signal from your intuition that you need to be vigilant."
"But you can't make decisions based on fear."
"No. But if you're feeling scared, pay attention to what's going on. Deal with the fear first. If you're trying to decide whether to quit your job, fear can help you make a good plan.
Fear of getting sick can lead to a healthy diet, exercise and insurance."
"What if you're paralyzed?"
"When you feel paralyzed by fear, take some action. Any action. Start moving. See if you feel the fear easing up. You can also work on your anxieties by writing in a journal or talking to someone you trust. As you write or talk, you may feel less scared."
"What if you don't?"
"Full scale panic attacks call for professional treatment from a qualified therapist. If your fear is holding you back from reaching your goals, you need to seek professional help. For instance, if your job calls for driving and you're afraid to drive on the freeway, you need to talk to a psychologist who deals with phobias."
"What can a coach do?"
"A career coach or consultant can help you look at the facts in a new way. I can help you decide if your fear is realistic and, if so, how to deal with it. I can remind you that most people entering a transition will be scared."
"Any warnings?"
"Yes. Don't let anyone dismiss your fears. Only you can tell if fear comes from your intuition or if this particular fear is blocking your intuition."
"So fear is not something to be afraid of."
"I believe fear is a friend, a message from intuition."
"Or as Franklin Roosevelt said fifty years ago, in a whole different context, 'The only thing left to fear is fear itself.'"
"You got it."
Recommended reading:
Thom Rutledge's book, Embracing Fear offers a well-written, down-to-earth perspective by a Nashville-based counselor.
I offer one-to-one consultations on career strategy.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" http://www.cathygoodwin.com
Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
best cleaning company Highland Park ..There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
The power of positive thoughts to affect one's experience of... Read More
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More
Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More
Recently, a dear friend who has been both a coach... Read More
You got up today to go to work, to come... Read More
"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More
When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine... Read More
Imagine what your life would be like if you could... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
P.M.A - so what is it? Some people will automatically... Read More
Have you truly tried and still failed? Have you pushed... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
When you feel lost and confused, it is easy to... Read More
During a Messenger chat session the other day, I asked... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
Emotions have the tendency to take over our actions and... Read More
HOW YOUR OUTLOOK INFLUENCES HEALTH AND ABILITY TO CONTROL ANGERJane... Read More
Question: "It's only three months. Or six months. Or a... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
Water is an important tool for magic rituals in many... Read More
Being a mom can take a toll on your body,... Read More
Every time something doesn't go quite right (rather frequently for... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Maureen worked in an office with twenty other people, processing... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More
I once heard the story of a grown bear that... Read More
Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build... Read More
Many people who suffer from low self-esteem would give anything... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
THOUGHTS are powerful. The power of THOUGHTS cannot be underestimated.... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
Do you feel that your negative thoughts are holding you... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness... Read More
As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students... Read More
Facing a change and want to make it work for... Read More
Many of the books on this page were inspired by... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More
Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More
With the probable exception of some basic instincts ? or... Read More
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More
Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |