Current Self: Hey, one more thing about fear.
Younger Self: OK, what is it?
Current Self: Don’t think it goes away just because you’re walking towards it. It doesn’t.
Younger Self: So you’re saying that I’m supposed to go towards my fears, but that when I do, it doesn’t get any easier?
Current Self: Not exactly. It will get easier. What I mean is the more you face it, the better you’ll get at handling it. It won’t go away, but your confidence will soar. And confidence is everything.
Younger Self: I think I understand. Are you saying that even though the fear doesn’t subside, I’ll start to build up a skillset at dealing with it?
Current Self: Bingo! Because your goal isn’t to have no fear but to have the confidence that you’ll succeed in the face of fear. Everyone is afraid of something. What separates the successful from the unsuccessful is the ability to operate within that fear — to feel that fear deeply and still move forward.
Younger Self: So, take my fear of heights. You’re saying that I’ll never get over it, but I shouldn’t let it keep me from doing things?
Current Self: Yes! If you shy away, you’ll miss out on a bunch of memories that you wouldn’t otherwise have had, plus it will help you get better at operating when afraid. So stand on the edge of that cliff and feel your knees go weak.
Younger Self: OK, got it. The fear doesn’t go away. But do it anyway.
