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" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com
Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm... Read More
One of the most important aspects of living a healthy... Read More
In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More
Empty, Hollow, Nothing?.those words shout the sound of disappointment and... Read More
With the probable exception of some basic instincts ? or... Read More
When you feel lost and confused, it is easy to... Read More
Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More
"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
There are always explanations for why things to you or... Read More
Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the... Read More
Have you ever noticed how many unhappy people there are... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
Have you truly tried and still failed? Have you pushed... Read More
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
The image you hold of yourself determines your success or... Read More
"You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine You Make Me... Read More
An old Joni Mitchell song reminds us, "don't it always... Read More
Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After... Read More
One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More
Our lives are busy. We rush here only to remember... Read More
You are the only one that can give confidence to... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
? Make a list of all your accomplishments in life... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
"Where are your bananas?" It seemed like a logical question... Read More
For the twelve hundred hostages, most especially Timur Kasumova.It's a... Read More
If we are the products of our attitudes then it... Read More
Year after year I find more and more individuals saying... Read More
You wake up in the morning sleepy and fatigued; the... Read More
Q: I seem to beat myself before I ever get... Read More
If we are the products of our attitudes then it... Read More
Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and... Read More
When I was a young girl, my sister and I... Read More
John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm... Read More
Human nature is created so that you can choose your... Read More
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More
Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More
Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More
Lately, I've been hearing that it's not okay to have... Read More
Life shouldn't be so complicated. Have you ever wondered why... Read More
Ever had the sense that there is more to life... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
You've probably heard this idea at one time or another.... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More
Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More
I woke up this morning feeling sour.No. That's an understatement.... Read More
If you think you are a loser, you train or... Read More
A rager, or rageaholic, is a person who is addicted... Read More
Recently, a lady came to see me and she had... Read More
If your life is difficult--if it's challenging, exasperating, and vexatious--... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More
"If I have the belief that I can do it,... Read More
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |