Turning Fear Into Power

Fearful thoughts have the power to create big problems in your life, in more ways than you might think. You’re probably aware that fear can hold you back from doing things you want to do, but did you know that it can also erode your confidence and inner strength?

Fear and empowerment are actually two opposite expressions of the same belief. The fear side convinces you that you don’t have the strength or capability to handle difficult circumstances or overcome obstacles. The empowerment side inspires total conviction that you are in control of your life circumstances and you have the strength to handle any challenge that may come your way.

If you want to turn fear into empowerment, you simply need to shift your perspective from one side of this belief to the other. Rather than believing in weakness, you need to begin focusing on strength

Below you’ll find three easy ways to begin shifting your focus from fear to empowerment:

1) One step at a time!

You may be under the impression that you need to have tons of inner strength and courage in order to feel empowered, but the truth is you probably won’t start out that way. Rather, you’d be better off to start small and work more gradually toward full empowerment. Try taking one small step forward on something that makes you feel anxious. The moment you face your fear and decide not to let it hold you back, you empower yourself! And once you’ve done it the first time, you can do it again, and again, and again! Before you know it, you’re moving steadily forward, growing more and more empowered with each step.

2) Believe in your capability.

Fear and self-doubt often create a perception of yourself as weak and powerless, which only makes you feel more afraid! You can turn this around by reinforcing a stronger self-image in your mind. Tell yourself how strong and capable you are. Remind yourself that you are flexible and resilient; able to handle any challenge that comes your way. The more you focus on strengthening yourself from within, the stronger belief in yourself you’ll build.

3) Expect the best.

One of the most damaging aspects of disempowerment is that it makes you cower in fear at the thought of doing something unfamiliar. Instead, you probably prefer to stay safely inside your comfort zones – but you can’t grow if you do that! Rather than fearing the unknown, get into the habit of expecting the best. Develop an unshakable sense of optimism and eagerness to see what each new experience will bring. Very often when you stop expecting the worst, you stop getting it!

At its core, empowerment is really a constant series of decisions; being willing to believe that you are bigger and stronger than adversity or fear. When you make it your mission to release fearful thoughts and strengthen your belief in your own capabilities, challenges lose some of their ominous power and seem much more manageable.

There’s a little book I have recommended before that I think is really helpful in helping to get rid of limiting beliefs. It doesn’t cost much and with the bonuses, it’s well worth it. Check it out here:

Success And Your Head