Through the Fear: Do it Anyway
When I had open-heart surgery at the age of 40 to remove a giant tumor from my chest, I was left with scars. One scar, in particular, runs vertically from the top to the bottom of my chest. At first, it was bright and red. I knew I could either feel embarrassed and cover it up for the rest of my life or muster the courage to let it show right away. I chose to never cover it. I wanted to normalize it immediately, avoiding the trap of shame that could grow over time and become harder to overcome.
The same approach applies to my fear of heights. High places make me incredibly nervous, but they also offer the best views: the balcony of a hotel overlooking a new city, a bridge over a beautiful body of water, a rooftop gathering with friends. I purposely stand in my discomfort and soothe myself into seeing the beauty in those moments. I stand on the balcony and look down to prove to myself that I am safe. I pause on the bridge, look over, and reassure myself that my body is secure and my mind can catch up to that fact.
“You beat fear by experiencing the fear and making it ordinary.” – Arthur Brooks
It’s not that I never feel fear. I know that opportunities to feel scared will continue to arise. That’s why I practice doing things despite my fear. Everyone is scared of something. It’s not about waiting for the fear to disappear; it’s about building the courage to do the things we’re scared of.
ACTION: Take one minute today to confront a small fear. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, trying a new activity, or simply standing in a high place for a moment, practice facing your fear and building your courage.
