š„±beat the daily blahs: believe you CAN do difficult thingsš«
Ummm, I donāt want to disagree with you,
but YES you can! You CAN do difficult things that seem scaryā¦
Caution: Doing hard things may lead to confidence, alignment, and laughter throughout the process. š
I am qualified to coach you through this because I once held a āBadge of Responsibilityā on a journey that started as uplifting but eventually turned stressful - all because I felt responsible for sticking with it, even when it no longer ignited my passion.
The college degree I invested in to step fully into this role began to suffocate me and hold me hostage. It wasnāt until I allowed myself to accept an additional and complimentary role that:
1. complimented my career,
2. provided me with healthy, inspiring, new connections, and
3. Encouraged me to learn new skills outside of the accounting profession,
that I realized the antidote was stepping into newness.
Overcoming fear is a crucial step toward achieving your goals and living a fulfilling life. Fear can be paralyzing, but it can also signal that you are on the brink of something great.
Many people get stuck in a rut, not recognizing that our fear of change or sense of responsibility to stick to it can keep us from experiencing greater joy and fulfillment.
Just when I was headed down a dark path of burnout from the pressure, stress, and endless demands on me based on HOW I worked (yes, I take full accountability for my situation), I learned the truth about helping myself out of my rutā¦and Iām right here to help you!
The one action I took that created the epiphany and allowed me to enjoy my career for several more years was simply responding with a simple āyesā from excitement - not fear - to an opportunity that initially scared me.
I chose to listen to my body at that moment and felt myself click into alignment with my goals to connect with like-minded people, continue on a journey of personal and professional growth, and give back to others.
I didnāt think I had the time to take on this new responsibility, and I even believed for a short moment that there were more capable people than me to step into this limited opportunity.
Looking back on that moment when I instinctively took quick action on something that excited - and scared me - I can dissect it to see how I did so many things right. So much so that I replicate it to support who I am meant to be daily.
If you are ready to pull yourself out of a similar rut, pay attention to these nuggets Iām about to shareā¦
Iāve had SO many experiences where I had to push past fear and lean into the excitement (yes excitement) of becoming who I was meant to beā¦that now Iām almost addicted to taking on scary challenges! š¤Æ
Is this what you need to hear today???
Here is a glimpse into what I go through when faced with a BIG, bold decision to take actionā¦or (heaven forbid) to shrink back:
First, I feel anxious. My heart pounds so loudly it feels like it might burst out of my chest. My ears thump to the rhythm of the pounding, and I feel a bit nauseous, maybe even start to sweat. Itās crazy!
Next, my brain sends me fraudulent messages like:
Donāt proceed - itās not safe.
Let somebody smarter than you take this role.
You havenāt done this before and could fail.
At this point, I scan these messages for faulty thinking and hit the MUTE BUTTON to quiet my brain. I know itās trying to do its job, but my brain has outdated safety tips that are no longer relevant. šŖ
Yep - this is where you exercise your muscles and take control of your brainās messaging.
Then, I tune into my gut instincts and body messages to see what they tell me.
I became aware of the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, initially interpreted by my brain as danger and fear. Now that Iāve muted my brain, I can re-evaluate this feeling and quickly determine that it isnāt a real danger. I sit with the SAME sensation and recognize that the fluttering is actually excitement - not fear.
All the energy created in my body is positive, forward-moving energy that shifts me from FROZEN to fulfilled alignment.
How do I know this?
As soon as I embrace these feelings as excitement and decide to take action, raise my hand, say YES to the opportunity, and start moving forward, I start smiling and eagerly anticipate the journey ahead.
Iām here to reassure you that once you start overriding fear and redefining the butterflies as excitement, youāll be capable of turning many more opportunities into joyful journeys.
š Think back on your life. Can you bring up memories of times when you stepped out of your comfort zone and surprised yourself? Those are the moments that make you proud and show your true potential.
When you feel these proud moments, you also have experienced being in full alignment with who you are meant to be!
Itās crucial to understand that your brain and body are continually communicating with youā¦but they donāt always align.
Your brainās role is to keep you safe. It reacts to past experiences, sending caution signals that may not be relevant today. Evaluate these signals to determine if they still serve you. If they donāt, itās time to listen to your body, your gut instincts, and those butterflies in your stomach.
Your bodyās role is to align your true self with your actions. Many people mistake the butterflies in their stomachs as a sign to back away from challenges. They misinterpret this signal as their bodyās way of keeping them safe.
In reality, those butterflies could be signaling excitement.
Physiologically, the sensation is the same whether fear or excitement. Your task is to discern this feeling and shift your mindset to recognize EXCITEMENT!
When you feel the butterflies in your stomach, it will seem hard to power through all the excitement your body is feeling. Let the thrill push you forward so that you take quick action, raise your hand, or say YES to this opportunity.
Think of it this way: Your body is thrilled to see you finally turned your brain messaging to MUTE and are listening to your body steer you toward your authentic alignment. Keep goingā¦this is a monumental step toward breaking through fearā¦and ridding yourself of the feeling of being stuck!
The feeling of fear is real; how you react to it, will determine the level of joy you experience for the rest of your life-long journey.
Strategies to Overcome Fear
We all have fear. You are not alone. Having the appropriate tools in your toolbox to process your fear and gain confidence is necessary.
Acknowledge Your Fear
The first step to overcoming fear is recognizing it. Understand what exactly you are afraid of and why. Journaling your thoughts can be enlightening and assist in moving past your fear.
2. Break It Down
Break the task or challenge into smaller, manageable steps. This makes it less overwhelming and easier to tackle. Map it out in a weekly planner to ensure you take progressive steps - and not get overwhelmed by seeing the whole picture at once.
3. Visualize Success
Imagine yourself completing the task. Visualization can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety. Create a vision board with pictures of your goal and place it where you will see it daily for inspiration.
4. Prepare and Plan
Equip yourself with the necessary tools and information. Preparation can significantly diminish fear. Laying these items out each week in alignment with your weekly goal will encourage action.
5. Take Action
Start with small steps. The action builds confidence and courage. Let go of perfectionism and make strides in your goal today!
6. Seek Support
Share your fears with friends or mentors. They can offer support, advice, and encouragement. Having them ask questions about your progress will help hold you accountable.
7. Reflect and Learn
After facing your fear, reflect on the experience. What did you learn? How did it feel? Use these insights to tackle future challenges.
My greatest wish is that you identify what you need more of in life. With these tools you can take quick action and elevate yourself out of the lackluster schedule you feel stuck in. Small steps towards your goal will begin to bring you greater joy!
With knowledge of how to overcome fear and embrace excitement, whatās stopping you from taking action and putting these strategies into practice?
You CAN do difficult things!
Take a moment to reflect on an area of your life where fear is holding you back. Identify a small step you can take today to move forward and commit to taking that step. Remember, itās not about making a giant leap; itās about consistent, courageous actions that will lead to significant change over time.
Overcoming fear is a continuous journey, but every step you take will bring you closer to a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Embrace the butterflies in your stomach as a sign of excitement and growth.
Remember, you can do difficult things and transform your life! You are one decision awayā¦
Stay courageous, stay committed, and keep moving forward. The life youāve always dreamed of is just beyond your comfort zone. Take that step today, and watch how your world begins to change.
Face your fears and create the life you are meant to live. The alignment will feel so dang good!
š What steps will you take to build your confidence? Making intentional decisions daily to do something out of your comfort zone will create a new and healthy habit toward the life you want to live!
If you liked this content and want more positive vibes, hereās how to stay connectedā¦.
Staying connected
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To Your Thriving Confidence! š«
Wendy