Consider this moment from history…
Franklin D. Roosevelt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days…”
This direct quote is from the opening of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural speech.
When Roosevelt was inaugurated on March 4, 1933, the U.S. was at the nadir of the worst depression in its history. A quarter of the workforce was unemployed. Farmers were in deep trouble as prices fell by 60%. Industrial production had fallen by more than half since 1929. Two million were homeless. By the evening of March 4, 32 of the 48 states, as well as the District of Columbia, had closed their banks. The New York Federal Reserve Bank was unable to open on the 5th, as huge sums had been withdrawn by panicky customers in previous days. Beginning with his inauguration address, Roosevelt began blaming the economic crisis on bankers and financiers, the quest for profit, and the self-interest basis of capitalism…
Let us review one specific portion of this speech, “The only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts…”
Fear. FEAR. FEAR. Why are we afraid? What are we afraid of? Many people are frozen in place due to their fear. There are people who are in positions of leadership, where others are counting on their decisions, and on their guidance, who are frozen from their own fear.
How do we overcome our fear?
F – Face Your Fear – Name it. Say it out loud. What is it that you are afraid of? You know you stay where you are unless you overcome the fear. Face it. You will overcome your fear. Tell it how. Speak it out loud.
E – Expectation – Now that you have faced your fear. What will happen as you overcome your fear? Is it about failure? Learn from failure and try it again. Learn again and try again.
A – Awareness – Okay so now you know why you are afraid and what you are afraid of. You are aware of the fear and the reality of the consequences. You are facing the possibility of failure. Maybe you are already failing, and learning and overcoming the failure. This is all working to overcome your fear. You will overcome your fear every time as long as you address it and have the full awareness of it.
R – Reward – Do it afraid! Many of us find this to be the most rewarding victories in our lives! Do it afraid. It will never be perfect. Do it afraid. One of my mentors, Paul Martinelli, says this all of the time. “Just do it afraid!”
This is not a simple subject to deal with. We all know and respect this fact. The flip side is, if we work to address this in ourselves we will be hands down further along on our path toward our achieving our desired results for our lives.
Let’s take a look at what are often reported as the “Top Ten Things People Are Fearful Of”:
- fear of flying
- fear of heights
- fear of the dark
- fear of death
- fear of spiders
- fear of public speaking
- fear of failure
- fear of rejection
- fear of intimacy
- fear of commitment
This list is not prepared in any particular order other than to point out that each of the fears below and including ‘fear of public speaking’ are all directly related to our business and personal lives and how we will perform in these areas. Our efforts to overcome these fears will go a long way to improving how we show up each day and move upwards and onwards the day after.
Are you willing to try the steps to how to overcome fear for each one of these fears which may be present in you?
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
