Thread: How to Use Fear to Your Advantage

Last week I had coffee with a friend of mine. She asked me what I was up to and I told her that I was still running my marketing agency, working on launching a software startup and planning a trip around Europe. She said, “I admire how fearless you are.” I started laughing and told her that I actually feel fear every day.
I do so many new, untested, scary things. But do you know what really scares the hell out of me? The thought of one day laying on my deathbed regretting not having lived my life to its fullest. The thought of not having enough time left to change that. The thought of spending my whole life doing something I hate just because “it’s safe”. What’s safe these days anyway?
Those fears are so big and powerful that make smaller fears (like starting a new business) look not so risky at all. You can use fear to your advantage.
I realize that most people are extremely risk-averse and what I’m saying won’t make any difference. They’re so afraid of losing that they don’t even play the game. But I also know that there’s a small percentage of people who need to hear this to take control of their lives. I hope you’re one of them.

Thats true I am agree in this and also seen many that due to fear of losing they don't put their foot forward and thus remain at their same position where they are for the whole lifetime.

Hi Mark,

Well said, you can change the way you think so fear is attached to things that are not part of your overall plan.

For me, I cannot waste time, I see television as a huge time waster. When I had a TV (I don't by choice now) it was never on except if I had someone staying and they wanted to watch it. Sitting with them my body would shake inside, my face would go red, my heart would beat a lot faster. The fear of wasting my life watching TV was too much to bear.

I had to go and do something, see somebody... something, just be productive.

In the physical sense my fear of loosing is a lot higher than the fear of heights, pain, loss or embarrassment. So if I feel like I'm loosing my brain takes over and finds a way to no loose.

Such a good topic and so important to success in anything you do..... basically to control your emotions in such a way that they help and not restrict you.

Cheers.

Pete