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.
– Dale Carnegie

Point to Ponder:
Are you an active participant in the game of your life or are you watching it from the sidelines?

Action Item:
Choose one of your fears and take action to defeat it.

by Neissa Springmann

Airline travel is 29 times safer than driving an automobile, and I’ve never had a bad experience; yet, I remain desperately afraid to fly. Every time I fly, I go through the same ritual: find my window seat; say a prayer; and fall asleep as quickly as possible (preferably before take-off). My routine prevents me from letting my imagination and fears run wild.

I have no idea why I have this fear. What I do know is that NOT flying is NOT an option. If I had let my fear of flying prevail, I never would have seen the Virgin Islands, Maui, the San Juan Islands, or gone to Lake Placid or a number of other places I have been lucky enough to visit. Fear could have prevented me from experiencing new things, from starting iGnite, and from meeting and working with you.

Having fear is normal. It is how we choose to let fear affect our lives that is most important. Does fear motivate or paralyze you? Do you give it power by talking about it instead of taking action? Or do you look it in the face, call it by name and then take action and conquer it?

Giving in to fear can become habitual. The more you allow fear to stop you from taking action, the more it will show up in your life and take control. Confront fear with courage and confidence. Taking courageous, confident actions can also be habit-forming. But these are good habits, allowing you to live a life full of new experiences. Use fear as a stepping stone to motivate you and get you going!

The question we need to ask ourselves daily regarding fear is one phrased so well by University of Texas Women’s Track Coach Bev Kearney, a woman who has overcome amazing physical challenges as a result of a horrific car accident. She asks:

Are you in the game or on the sideline?

How would you answer? Fear keeps us on the sidelines, while courage, confidence and action put us in the game. I know I choose to be in the game of living life! This week, choose a fear you have and take action to overcome it. I’d love to hear about your choice and help you succeed— email me!

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