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
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..You want to change your self-care habits and you can't... Read More
HOW YOUR OUTLOOK INFLUENCES HEALTH AND ABILITY TO CONTROL ANGERJane... Read More
Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
You know, very often, the manner in which a person... Read More
When you have a case of FABS, it may be... Read More
"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence... Read More
A Yale University study a few years ago revealed that... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
Ever had one of those mothers, or grandmothers, who would... Read More
Would you like to be confident in the things you... Read More
Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More
How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More
Peak Performance. It means being at the top of your... Read More
Year after year I find more and more individuals saying... Read More
"Spiritual Intelligence" (SI) is the ability of a person to... Read More
Can you really plan a life-changing experience, or do they... Read More
Have you ever thought about you have a lot to... Read More
Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More
So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More
I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More
The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
Does that title make you cringe? It made me cringe... Read More
A more positive future, a happier life, a body that's... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..This week I happened to catch a few minutes of... Read More
Many of you may look at my title and wonder... Read More
In his all-time bestselling record The Strangest Secret, author Earl... Read More
My story explains the struggles I had as a 23-year-old... Read More
An old Joni Mitchell song reminds us, "don't it always... Read More
Inevitably in life we will face disappointment from time to... Read More
Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
If your life is difficult--if it's challenging, exasperating, and vexatious--... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
Ever had the sense that there is more to life... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
Not Amen, just so we're clear on that.AND.The little connector... Read More
Keep focusing on the fullness of your life: Keep remembering... Read More
I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
I have had many confidence issues in my life, all... Read More
Why do we help others? There is a whole lot... Read More
ARE YOU IN... OR OUT?Are you in or out of... Read More
One often hears people say they can't sketch because they... Read More
Does negative thinking pay? Is it desirable for me to... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |