How to overcome the fears by which you are blocked

When we look back at our childhood, we surely can remember all those fun adventures which were powerful, exciting and thrilling. Moments, in which our parents supported us and we were free to be afraid, while always knowing that we would be safe. These included:

• Riding on a rollercoaster
• Climbing up the tallest trees in the neighborhood
• Swimming between “sharks” (big fish) and waves that felt higher than skyscrapers

When we get older, we try to build up our own secure environment and we tend to forget the inspiring, thrilling moments in which we can prove our courage!

Yet what most of us adults don’t know is that there is a lot to learn from this thrill that comes from uncertainty.

If you bear with us for a couple of minutes, you can get an idea of how to get more of that thrill in your everyday life and how to use this as a powerful instrument for creativity, fun and inspiration.

1. First of all, do something that you are really afraid of.

Some small challenges could be:

• Take a ride on a rollercoaster
• Hold a Ted Talk
• Talk in a foreign language in front of your boss

It is exciting, isn’t it? Still, and this is important in this phase, you are not really responsible – so you can try different things while enjoying the moment. If these examples aren’t thrilling enough, look for your own exciting experiments -> Enjoy the “extra kick”!

2. Do more of the things that you have been anxious about for far too long.

You will see, it gets easier and more and more useful - and somehow, you will find yourself looking for even more of these scary yet exciting situations.

• Give emotional feedback to your head
• Try parachute jumping
• Try to pitch in front of your customer, colleagues and/or your boss

-> Embedded into a business context, this will unleash innovative power!

3. In the next phase, try something new:

Ask one of your colleagues to give you a challenge focusing on your daily business, but with the extra ingredients of “fear” & excitement – plus, it will be your responsibility!

Reflect on the following questions:

• What is going on with you?
• What do you think about it?
• And even more importantly: How does it make you feel?

Try to overcome the first intuitive resistance and dive into the new challenge. Creativity, innovation and inspiration will automatically come to you while thinking about possible solutions.

Some rules:

• Try it.
• Ask for feedback.
• Nothing is true or false, it is your own personal solution.
• Do it again and again.

4. Attention: addictive potential

Once you start to make this a regular thing, you will want more of these “kicks” in your life because you learn how to deal with the thrill. You will know how to turn them into innovative power and creativity, which leaves you feeling strong and empowered. You will want to do all the things you have always wanted to do. Unleash that adrenaline junkie that is inside you! :-)

Looking for your own personal challenge? We’ve got an idea for you: Start your learning journey with us to become a true leadership pioneer – learn something new every day and challenge yourself to be the best leader you can be. We are happy to help!

More information is available here.