The body's natural reaction to fear is fight, flight or freeze. Makes sense evolutionarily. But in the modern world, these primal defenses may not serve us.
It's time to redefine fear. In this post, I talk about how to turn your worries into actions using the acronym F.E.A.R. (Face Everything And Rise)
Full disclosure, I love inspirational quotes. So I have to confess, the F.E.A.R. acronym is from Zig Zigler, who has many inspirational quotes.
The original quote is,
"FEAR has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise. The choice is yours."
I have identified four domains of life that I think most people worry about: health, money, relationships, and the future. In each of these areas, I’ll talk about how to stop worrying and take some action.
Let's start with health...
Instead of worrying incessantly about your health, take charge, and take some action. Get healthier. Get enough sleep, get more exercise, take vitamins, and improve your diet.
If you're worried about a loved one's health, talk with them and help them take positive actions, however small.
Instead of envisioning worst-case scenarios with your finances, take action. Lean into your fears. Start a budget. Call your broker. Sell something on eBay.
If you're unemployed, update your resume and apply to as many jobs as you can. Ask friends and former bosses if they have temporary jobs you can do.
If you're employed, get a second job for a while. Why not?
Take the time to improve your relationships, in your business and personal life.
Arguing with your partner? See a therapist. Can’t afford it? Try Open Path Collective, a great resource if you’re on a budget.
Now is also the time to reach out to friends and family members. Tell them they can count on you. Start a communal fund, in case someone goes broke.
Worried about the long term? Be proactive and take action. Plan for the worst now, so you don't have to worry later.
Look into the possibility of selling your house or moving into a cheaper apartment. Plant a garden. Keep bees. Start a neighborhood committee.
Plan it out now instead of worrying about it. You'll feel better. Best case, you'll make new friends and learn new skills. Worse case, a few people will laugh at you.
I hope you find this post helpful. Face Everything and Rise is a refreshing philosophy that might change your perspective. Of course as a disclaimer, I'm not telling you what you should do. My point here is to take some sort of positive action to alleviate your anxiety.
Okay, wishing you the best in your endeavors, and take some action today!
Want to learn more about my approach to anxiety? Check out my Anxiety Therapy services.
Feeling overwhelmed? Check out my post 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed
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Berkeley, CA 94704
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