When it comes to being an entrepreneur, fear is one of the biggest obstacles that a business owner might face. Sometimes, we can have a fear of failure, while other times we might subconsciously fear success. However, there are ways to combat fear, and below, we are sharing our favorite tips to do so.
Tips to Combat Fear
Separate Reality from Perception
When you notice fear creeping up, it is really good to separate reality from perception! To do so, ask yourself, “What is really going on?!” Locate and jot down the facts and place those before your feelings!
Learn to Recognize the Trigger!
If you are stuck in a fear cycle, there is going to be a “tigger” that started you down the path in the first place. Learning to identify that will help you to avoid certain situations, or recognize that when entering into certain situations, you may get uncomfortable! This will help you separate reality from perception, and feel more confident.
Where does Fear Live in Your Body?
Oftentimes, fear can take on physical symptoms such as: faster breaths, sweaty palms, a knot in your stomach, etc. If you start to identify where fear will show up physically in/on your own body, you can learn what your body might need when entering into a stressful situation!
Practice Gratitude
Being in a state of gratitude can shift your mind into a more positive light. Therefore, we suggest making a daily gratitude list! Overtime, this can help you to overcome fear all together!
Listen to What Your Inner Voice is Saying
It is important to listen to what your inner voice is saying, and if needed, ask it to stop! We all have a tendency to be much harder on ourselves than we would be on others. As a result, our inner voice can often say extremely hurtful things, and we just take it! So, it is important to listen to what you are saying to yourself, and start having a more positive conversation with yourself!s.
Focus on the Outcome
When in an overwhelming situation, it is helpful to remind yourself that the feeling and the moment will pass! Then, focus on the positive outcome of the situation, rather than the scary inbetween.
For example, think of working out! Sometimes, when on the 28/30th squat, it may feel like this physical activity will never end! So perhaps think about the outcome of doing squats, and suddenly two more will not feel like an eternity!
Always look at the Glass Half Full!
Perception is a very powerful thing, and how you feel about your situation can dictate how you will respond. So, think positively! Doing so will give yourself a much better chance of success.
Note that, won’t happen overnight; practice with just one thought such as the one recurring negative/fearful thought you have! Then work on reversing this one thought and overtime, this will become a habit.
Breathing Exercises
Focusing on your breath can help center your body, calm your mind, and so much more! So, we strongly encourage you to research a few breathing techniques that can help calm your mind such as alternate nostril breathing (instructions written by VeryWellMind)
Alternate-nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) involves blocking off one nostril at a time as you breathe through the other, alternating between nostrils in a regular pattern.2 It\’s best to practice this type of anxiety-relieving breathing in a seated position in order to maintain your posture.
- Position your right hand by bending your pointer and middle fingers into your palm, leaving your thumb, ring finger, and pinky extended. This is known as Vishnu mudra in yoga.
- Close your eyes or softly gaze downward.
- Inhale and exhale to begin.
- Close off your right nostril with your thumb.
- Inhale through your left nostril.
- Close off your left nostril with your ring finger.
- Open and exhale through your right nostril.
- Inhale through your right nostril.
- Close off your right nostril with your thumb.
- Open and exhale through your left nostril.
- Inhale through your left nostril.
Work up to 10 rounds of this breathing pattern. If you begin to feel lightheaded, take a break by releasing both nostrils and breathing normally.
Breath is a very powerful tool! If you want to learn more about it, we suggest reading Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.
Create a Safe Space
You really cannot feel scared if you are currently feeling safe and secure. So, we suggest finding/creating a space where you can retreat to when ill feelings begin- whether this is a real place such as your bedroom, or a place in your mind such as the beach. This sense of comfort will soothe you and allow you to face your fear.
Final Thoughts
Fear affects every single one of us! But it doesn’t have to control the outcome of our lives. These are just a few of our favorite tips to help combat fear as we pursue our dreams!