Does It Feel Dangerous?

Scientists describe the three core ingredients of feeling danger as:

• Your body’s threat system switches on because it senses harm is near
• Your mind labels it as high risk and low control
• Your personal history, psyche, and habits confirm and amplify it

“Harm” could be physical or emotional. Real or perceived. Imminent or Immanent. 

Standing at the edge of a high place can feel dangerous.
Proposing changes to the organization can feel dangerous.
Publishing your work can feel dangerous.

We must ask ourselves, “Dangerous to what?” Our body? Our ego? Our emotional well-being? Our career? Our relationship?

Our feelings serve as both an indicator and a mask. They tell us something is happening, but they don’t always tell us what’s true.

Regardless, the goal isn’t to eliminate the fear. 

It’s to stop letting the mask make your decisions.