Scared, but doing it anyway.

Posted on October 25th, 2011 by Robbin and currently 9 commenting.

Last week I attended a nutrition class. (Did you know that microwaving veggies zaps the nutrients out of them?) And the teacher (who just happens to be my wonderful morning Yoga Teacher) made the most interesting statement.

“In America, we tend to wake up with this slight sensation that we’re being chased by a bear. “

Hmmmm.

Then a few days later I stumbled on this great video from Merlin Mann And today I am sharing with all of you. (Merlin is also the guy behind Inbox Zero.)

Merlin’s speaking style is interesting, but kind of rambling. He lost me a couple of times, but do yourself a HUGE favor this morning, stick with it and listen until the very end.

Pretty amazing, don’t you think?

We all have an “it” or three or seventy that scares us and makes us wake up with that sensation that a “bear is chasing us”.

But you know what? Life has taught me these two things:

You can always do it anyway. And most likely you will survive.

Somehow just that knowledge calms me.

A friend taught me this little trick to fight back life’s everyday fears about a year and half ago.

It’s so cool. Okay, here’s how it works. Remember a time when you survived after facing something that terrified you. Think back to that very moment when you realized that you’d done “it” anyway and you were just fine. Try and remember as many details about that moment as you possible can. What was the weather? How did you feel? Where were you? Recreate that story moment in your mind.

For me it was climbing up a very steep mountain in the pitch-black darkness (we were a bit lost after a late day hike), and hitting an unexpected LONG stretch of blackberry bushes (or something with prickly needles). I knew the sun would come up at some point but for a moment (or seven) I panicked and just wanted free of the bush and bramble and darkness. I didn’t think I could do it. When I finally made it to the top (and I knew we were on more solid ground). I was bloody and bruised, but I felt great. A sense of calm had settled over me that I simply can’t put into words.

Not a bear in sight.

After reliving this moment in great detail to my friend, he then said to pick a shape and color (mine is an orange circle) and associate that shape and color with that feeling. Then when you find yourself facing a fear and you have to do “it” anyway, just remember that color and shape. Strangely enough that triggers that feeling and that “I did it” moment to come back instantly and just that tiny little break gives you courage to move forward. It sounds crazy but it really, really works.

We’ll I haven’t tried it while jumping off a train at ninety miles an hour.

I am also strangely comforted by this line from Merllin’s friend “Crazy Bob”.

“They can’t eat you.”

And, they can’t. And, they won’t. Okay?

What scares you and what tools, techniques or mantras do you use to help you do “it” anyway? Come on. Don’t be afraid. Share your thoughts today.

• Tweet
• RSS
• EMAIL
• more
  

  BlinklistBloglinesBlogmarksDiggdel.icio.usFurlMa.gnoliaNewsVineRedditStumbleUponTechnorati