First Step to Overcoming Fear and Resistance
(Note: This is a revised repost of my very first post on johnmaconline.com. I’ve learned so much about how to structure and create a post that I thought it would be interesting and fun to redo this one with what I know now. I was right. I’ve not revised the content at all, other than adding a couple of sentences to the conclusion and changing just a few words here and there to fit into the new structure)
Recently I was able to meet in person and spend some quality 1-on-1 time with a virtual mentor of mine whom I’ve been following and learning from for quite a while now. It was a “can-opener to the mind” kind of a discussion, and I am extremely grateful. So many nuggets of wisdom came out of that, that it’s likely to lead to blog posts for weeks! However, with this post, I want to share the main takeaway for me.
What is that first step?
Just start doing it.
To overcome your fear or resistance (which is a form of fear), you must just start doing the things of which you are afraid. You see, the overcoming is in the action. It’s in the doing. Never mind if the circumstances aren’t perfect, or you aren’t 100% ready, or “I just need to wait until…” Just start doing it, and then keep doing it.
By doing the things that are causing the resistance, the hesitation, the fear; we reprogram our mind. The emotional part of our mind follows our actions, so that is how we reprogram. How many times have you found yourself in a position where you aren’t happy (career, relationship, health, etc), but because it’s familiar, you are hesitant to change it. That’s your mind following your actions. You haven’t made a change to the situation, therefore, your mind (I mean the emotional part of your mind) believes the situation is fine and finds solace in the inertia. But we can break out of it by simply taking action. I’m not talking about rash action, nor is this license to indulge your narcissistic dalliances. I’m talking about taking action on a legitimate change in order to improve yourself, improve your family, improve your friends…You know the difference.
What Action Have I Taken to Overcome My Fear?
So what have I done? Well, my first action is right here. It’s this post, and its this video below. This is my first action, and although I’m dreading the “Publish” button, I’m gonna do it anyway. Because this is the start. Without the “Publish”, there is no change.
- When this post is first published, will my website look the way I always envisioned? No.
- Am I content with the About Me. Not likely.
- Do I have all of my ducks in a row with the backend web site stuff? Of course not.
But here it is.
Conclusion
Here’s the magic: I now know (and proved to myself over the last year) that the first step leads to the second step, and before you know it, you’re on the path. You’re taking the action, and the fear, although maybe still present, is not controlling you. The fear was and is your guide, and then you overcome it by taking action, which starts with the first step.
My main goal with this blog is to add value to your life in some way and get feedback so I can learn from you as well. I want to hear from you…be it good, bad, or otherwise. Please connect with me on social media. You can find links at the bottom of the About Me page. I’d love to hear from you!
