Quick take:

Most of the fears that hold us back are about things that haven’t happened yet. You can’t switch fear off, but you can name it, question it, answer your inner critic and take small steps anyway. My ebook, Conquering Fear, covers these ideas in more depth and comes with a set of 63 affirmations.

If you want to overcome fear, the first thing to know is that everybody has it.

Some people are nervous about speaking up. Others worry about money, or about trying something new and getting it wrong.

Fear has a habit of disguising itself, too. In The Illusion of Progress , I wrote about the difference between being busy and actually getting somewhere. Sometimes staying busy is simply a comfortable way of avoiding the one job that makes us nervous.

That is what my ebook, Conquering Fear (ETSY-LINK), is about. It looks at where everyday fear comes from and what you can do about it.

One thing to be clear on first. This is a general self-help book, not therapy. If fear or anxiety is having a serious effect on your life, please talk to your GP or a qualified professional.

Five Ways to Overcome Fear, One Step at a Time

Here are five ideas from the book.

1. Name It

It sounds obvious, but a vague sense of dread is much harder to deal with than a clear fear.

Ask yourself what, exactly, you are afraid of. Then ask where it comes from.

Once you can put it into words, it usually shrinks a little.

2. Question Your Assumptions

A lot of fear is about the future. We picture what might go wrong and treat it as though it already has.

So check the story you are telling yourself. What do you actually know? What are you guessing?

Often the facts are far less frightening than the guesswork.

3. Answer Your Inner Critic

Most of us have a voice that says we are not good enough, or that we will only embarrass ourselves.

A simple trick is to imagine a friend in your shoes. What would you say to them? Probably something kinder and more sensible than what you say to yourself.

You can also look at the evidence. Is the critic right, or is it just loud?

4. Stand at the Edge of Your Comfort Zone

You don’t have to leap into the thing you fear most.

Take one small step towards it instead. Then another.

Each step you survive makes the next one a bit easier.

5. Take a Small Action Every Day

Believing something is possible is a good start. On its own, though, it doesn’t change much.

A small daily action does. Write the first paragraph. Make the phone call. Send the email.

Progress, even slow progress, is one of the best answers to fear I know of.

What Else Is in the Ebook?

Conquering Fear has ten chapters. Alongside the ideas above, it covers what fear is and how it shows up, common fears, building self-esteem and confidence, fear around money, fear of the unknown, living a more courageous life and seven ways to turn a big dream into reality.

The 63 Affirmations

The final chapter is a set of 63 affirmations for releasing fear, and they also come as a separate PDF you can print or keep on your phone.

Affirmations are short positive statements you say to yourself. Some people find them a useful way to start the day or steady themselves before something daunting.

A few examples from the list:

– Mistakes help me grow.
– Though I may feel the fear, I’ll still do it regardless.
– I am trying my best.
– No matter what happens on the outside, I can be at peace on the inside.

Pick the ones that feel right for you and leave the rest.

Want to Take a Look?

Conquering Fear and the 63 Affirmations are available from my ETSY shop.

Get Conquering Fear on ETSY (ETSY-LINK)

There is no need to take my word for it. Have a look at the listing and decide whether it is what you need.