In this series about overcoming our fears, we have so far explored the principle of “defang your fear.” If you missed it, simply go to my profile and read my previous two posts.
Now for the second principle: develop action plans. If you’re afraid of something, do something about it. Positive action has a way of dispelling negative emotions.
Let’s say that you are afraid of public speaking. Just the thought of you standing in front of an audience makes you want to fly to Siberia. From “defang your fear”, you’ve learned to dig deeper as to why exactly public speaking is so fearful for you. You discover that you don’t want to make a mistake.
But rather than shunning speaking opportunities, you can be determined to prepare.
Actually, I tend to over-prepare. After I make my deck, I imagine what questions it would raise from the audience. Then I research, ask around, and scribble my answers. That way, my apprehension of being caught flat-footed in Q&A takes a nose dive. I would still load my deck with the sufficient information my audience needs, but I tuck other information – my extra ammunition – in the Appendices, accessible via hyperlink.
That’s how it’s supposed to be. Fear usually comes when we will venture into the unknown. Will you be talking to a difficult person? Do you want to start your own business? Are you thinking of a career move? Plan ahead. You will discover that the unknown is not that unknown after all.
As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Don’t stop with just one plan. Anticipate what can go wrong and have contingency plans. Craft a Plan B, and a Plan C if need be.
In the next post, I will share the last strategy on how to overcome your fear. It’s my best advice ever. Don’t miss it!
May 30, 2023
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