A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: fears

  • More on fears

    climb-mountain

    A rocky path for sure but don’t let fear get in your way.

    Are you as surprised as me to realize that you have fears that you didn’t have earlier in life?

    One of my realities is that my body simply doesn’t do what it used to.  Even with my current workout program focusing on my strength and stamina, I am not back to the old days.  Of course, I’m don’t accept I may never get there!

    Besides our bodies wearing down, fears can develop around other issues.  Some are:

    Running out of money

    Increased cost of living

    Losing a job

    Death of a spouse, other family member or close friend

    Isolation or loneliness

    Fear of an injury or new health problem

    Falling for a scam

    Believing it’s too late to achieve a dream

    It’s important to remember that while fears are so real to us, they mainly exist in our heads.

    The way to overcome them is to simply take action. Recognize what our fear is and tackle it head on.

    This is a common theme throughout my posts. As we continue to age, our doubts, fears and obstacles can grow. No is not the time to let them rule our lives.

     

  • Become fearless

    fears-

     

     

    Check out this image.  I didn’t know there were so many things I could fear.

     

     

     

    Our fears do not develop overnight.  We’ve had a lifetime of experiences and actions which may have created them.

    The good news is that overcoming a fear is a skill which can be learned at any time. The challenge is to decide if NOW is the time you are ready to face one of them.

    Here are five beginner steps to use. I say beginner steps because change is a process.  These five steps are a quick and easy method. A technique you could use for a “smaller fear” to have an experience and then a positive outcome. You may need additional information or to seek specific help to guide you.

    -1- Become aware – Recognize the control that your fears are creating in your life.

    -2- Identify exactly WHAT you are afraid of. Using your journal – use the two column method for this exercise. Column one – what is the best outcome and the benefits I can have if I try this activity?  Column two – what is the worst that can happen if I give it a go? Choose one fear per page.

    -3- Understand that fears are just fears.  They are created by our imagination.  Perhaps because of an actual prior experience which didn’t go well.

    -4- Take action – Decide that you are ready to overcome one fear.  Take action and do this scary thing.

    (If you watch any of the TV weight loss reality shows, the trainers demonstrate how HARD and yet possible it is to dig deep, be honest with ourselves, accept responsibility for our actions and use our strength and new found courage to overcome our biggest obstacles. With fall coming I’m sure one of these programs will be on.  You could watch one and follow along for inspiration.)

    -5- Review – How good or bad did you do?  Return to your journal and compare your outcome with your two columns of the best and worst outcomes. Then add this additional information.  What did I learn?  What can I do to improve? What should I change in the future?

    Get going. Time is a wasting.

     

  • Planning a big life change

    In review, the blog posts so far have covered:

    20 weeks – discovering our biggest dreams which fulfill our passions, bring us joy and happiness and are fueled by the
    self beliefs and positive thinking that we can have a life we desire.

    15 weeks – overcoming various obstacles which stand in our way. Some topics included: negative self-talk, facing our fears, time management, non-working relationships, procrastination, and cleaning up various messes around us.

    While we may not be absolutely ready, willing and able, with the confidence and belief to make all of our dreams can come true, this next series of posts – from September 5th through December 31st is a challenge to choose one of the dreams on our list and make it happen.

    We will be making a plan to create a big change in life.

    But don’t panic – along the way we will strengthen our belief systems and work on overcoming obstacles still getting in the way.

    Often, I will suggest that you look at your calendar and realistically pick a goal or task which fits into your schedule, BUT for these next 15 weeks, I am challenging you to complete:

    one goal which will bring you the most joy, happiness, pride and satisfaction

    OR

    one goal which you may have been procrastinating about for awhile

    OR

    one goal which will fulfill a big life dream

    OR 

    one goal which will help you overcome a fear

    OR

    one goal which you decide is most important for you

    To get started each day take a few moments and day dream about what will make you happiest and jot down some notes in your journal.

  • Eliminating obstacles

    The process to overcome our fears, doubts and negative self- talk is not easy.  Many of these obstacles have built up over a long period of time.

    We identify with them. We believe they are who we are, who we will always be.

    If limiting beliefs, fears and doubts are standing in the way of achieving your goals and dreams, then what is there benefit,
    how are they serving you? If fears and beliefs are bringing us the life we desire, then we must make a change.

    Change takes strength, courage, consistent and regular action.

    Most important, however, is this fact – if you are not ready or able to change – change will not happen.

    When you are ready to change, begin by taking small steps to attain your goals and dreams.

    To start, pick one small obstacle to work on – either a fear, a doubt or a limiting belief. Focus your energy and attention on it.

    Use on of the options from the last three blogs to work on your issue.

    Picture how your life will be different without this obstacle. What thing can you accomplish, what activity can you try, what action can you take?

    Will you climb a mountain, change jobs, end a relationship, begin a new hobby, work on your health or financial picture?

    Keep working on your changing process. Don’t let small setbacks derail  your progress. Keep at it, keep fighting, keep trying.

    Once you have succeeded in overcoming one small roadblock, use the feelings of accomplishment to propel you onto your next hurdle.

    You can do it!