Fear is a word many of us could write volumes about – along with peeling off layer after layer. Go as deep as you feel comfortable with this, and please, if you have a debilitating fear seek professional help. 

Fear is a natural reaction nearly all of us share. How deeply it affects us varies wildly. Some of us fear physical things and events – spiders, bears, public speaking. Other fears are akin to superstitions such as the number 13 and various omens, or more nebulous such as fear of change or the unknown. Much of what is bad in the world right now has its roots in fear.

For typical fear reactions, wise was Yoda!

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Many modern psychologists agree with Yoda and his treatment for fear. With mild cases of fear, facing it reduces it’s power and impact. Exposure Therapy gradually helps people get over fears of specific objects or situations through carefully controlled situations. 

Unrecognized fears often lead to other bad behaviors. Self sabotage is a common response to fear of success, for example. The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks is a great read about fear of success. Self sabotage can include everything from procrastination to blowing up a career and burning all the bridges. 

Just naming our fears reduces their power over us. It is step one to facing them and if detrimental, do something about them. 

When you look at your fears can you connect them with any behaviors you’ve been trying to change?