Fear is a bitch. It stops you from doing things you need to do and things you want to do and it makes things you do more difficult.
I’m not talking about big scary stop-in-your-tracks kind of fear. They don’t crop up that often and when they do, it’s often better to give in to them. If you’re afraid of sky-diving, for example, don’t do it. Do something else on your bucket list.
No, I’m talking about micro-fears, little nagging worries that make you avoid situations or people, doubt your process, procrastinate, abandon half-finished projects, or move so slowly that you miss the opportunity.
You may not see what these fears do to you because they are small and familiar but they add up and make for a poorer quality of life.
What can you do?
You can do more research. You can delegate the task. You can do something else that makes the original task unnecessary or easier. Or you can get someone to do “it” with you–yep, hold your hand as you take your first steps.
I’ve done all of these at various times in my life. I’m sure you have, too.
But there’s something else we can do to defeat our fears or to get the thing done despite them.
Do it anyway.
Dale Carnegie said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
Easier said than done? Maybe. But here’s something that can make it easier.
It’s called “the five-minute rule”. Whatever it is that you’re avoiding, do it for just five minutes.
You can do just about anything for five minutes. When you do, you will have done the hard part–you got started, and getting started is the antidote for what ails you.
How to get better at delegating
