Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.'

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), American diplomat, writer, US First Lady

Last weekend the family convinced me to go with them to a Mountain Biking Centre where I hired a bike and for the first time faced my fear of being out of control. I am a competent cyclist on the flat, but faced with the kind of trails that exist at the centre, I could feel my insides curling up into a knot. So how do we face our fear? What do we need to do to deal with that terror? How can we acknowledge that this is a scary situation and still take action in spite of it?

My goal was to get from the top of the trail to the bottom without killing myself! How was I going to do that? I suppose I could have walked down, but that wasn't the point of being at the Mountain Biking Centre. The only person I would be letting down if I did that was myself. Check my brakes, take a deep breath and go for it! Yahoo! What is your goal? What fears do you have about going for it? Can you look at each one and say, 'OK, this is something I am scared of. If I go for it, what is the worst thing that can happen? And what is the worst thing after that?' Facing the things we are frightened of can often reduce their impact.

This was a day of fun for me and the family. I knew deep down that I'd enjoy it, and I also needed to prove something to myself as well. What can you do for yourself this week? And next week? It doesn't have to be anything as challenging as throwing yourself down a hillside on a mountain bike, but it should be something that gives you a real sense of satisfaction.

It was time for me to face something I'd been putting off for a while. No one had nagged me, or made rude comments about me not joining the family each week. I could have made excuses and not gone ? but I wanted to! Is it time for you to face your fears, assess the risks and go for it?

Are you ready to try out a new experience? Are you prepared to take a deep breath and deal with your fears and give it a go? This was certainly a new experience for me! What can I do next? What can you do next? What new thing can you do today to help you move towards achieving your goals?

What can you do over the next couple of weeks that will give you a sense of achievement, help you move yourself towards your goals and help you to face your fears?

Kate Harper is based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Check out her website http://www.harpercoaching.com

She works with people who are fed up with moaning about their lives and have decided to do something about it. If that is you, please take a look at Kate's website. She is happy to work with people from any part of the world.

"The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult." Madame Marie du Deffand

Take your first step today and contact Kate.

---

Death by Overwork: Motivationally Speaking Its a Zero

The Japanese have a word for death by overwork: Karoshi.... Read More

What Comes First the Action or the Feeling?

In other words, it is in the "doing" that we... Read More

What is your Altitude?

It is something that everyone ? and I do mean... Read More

Around The World On $80

Jules Vernes adventure story, Around the World in 80 Days,... Read More

Your Biggest Do it Yourself Project

When I meet people and tell them what I do,... Read More

Optimistic Vs Pessimistic

Studies have shown that on average an optimist will have... Read More

Is Failure the End of Everything?

"The important thing is to learn a lesson every time... Read More

Success -- The Key and the Fire

Self-discipline is a powerful tool that can help you accomplish... Read More

Motivation: The Cure for Complacency

Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide... Read More

Five Great Ideas From Aristotle

It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More

How to Talk to Yourself When Nobody is Listening and You Want to

Do you ever pay attention to the thoughts inside your... Read More

Rebirth from the Ashes

The legend of the phoenix can actually be found... Read More

Life After Prison - The Road Home, Vanishing Dreams

The basic trauma of being locked inside of a penal... Read More

Dismantle Self Imposed Limits

Round about us is an invisible box that we have... Read More

Motivation-- The Key Is In Your Actions

Have you ever read something like this as a "way... Read More

Maximizing Your Potential by Definition

Someone once pointed out to me that in many of... Read More

Motivation By Facing Facts

"Things is either done, or they ain't done." Marlon SandersSome... Read More

Are You Lost or Are You Found?

It was one of those nights where the clock wasn't... Read More

Selective Perspective

Picture this: A mother and daughter are looking at the... Read More

Why Do We Need Our Addictions?

If money is considered to be the root of all... Read More

Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is more deadly than failure itself.... Read More

Your Most Important Opportunity says a top UK Personal Development Coach

For some people this article will turn out to be... Read More

Walking a New Road

(excerpted from the Take Charge of Your Life 6 CD... Read More

Do you Live the Life you Desire?

There comes a time in every person's life when you... Read More

Motivation By Kicking Butt

Some people respond to being yelled at and even sworn... Read More

Motivation: Tearing Down Your Own Limitations

Q.: I've always been sort of cynical about all this... Read More

How To Be Motivated To Create The Life Of Your Dreams

When it comes to motivating yourself to be a better... Read More

Lights are Off and No One is Home

The other day I was on my way home, and... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More

Visualization

Visualisation plays a very important role with the mind and... Read More

5 Ways to Fight Pessimism

Some people are naturally pessimistic and are happy... Read More

Self-Motivation for Trainers

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is... Read More

Success Secrets - Achieving Ultimate Success

I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say... Read More