What are your biggest fears in life? Is there anything out there that just the mere thought of, makes you feel all weird in your gut and makes your palms all sweaty?
Well for me it is heights and claustrophobia…oh my goodness, just writing about them makes me feel all weird! We humans are pretty strange, because for a lot of people speaking in front of people, or approaching strangers and striking up a conversation, can trigger absolute panic and anxiety.
But for me those things don’t bother me at all. I can speak to anyone anywhere and have no issue with it. In fact I don’t even think twice about it. The same for public speaking. I have spoken to audiences all over the world, and audiences over 10,000 people and I am completely comfortable. Yet if you had to raise the platform to a certain height I would completely, start to get freaked out.
Crazy right? We all have our own little quirky fears and belief systems.
Well, right now I am on a three week trip through Europe and currently in beautiful Austria. As I write this, I am sitting outside my hotel room in the mountains surrounding the town of Salzburg. It is beautiful and what a crazy day it was. Why?
Because today I had to face two of my biggest fears head on and guess what? I survived!
We went on this tour of these Salt Mines under the city of Obersalzberg in Germany. I am all excited about going and seeing these mines, and thinking it will be like a ghost town experience. Well, when we get there we are given these special overalls and allocated a guide. I start getting a little nervous as we’re on a group trip and so I am worried about what is to happen next.
We’re told we’re going into the mines which are 400ft below the ground and we’ll be going one mile in. OH NO! I think to myself…”Let me hang at the back of this group and then I’ll just turn back so no-ones sees me.” As we enter the tunnel my claustrophobia hits me. My mouth is dry, heart racing, feeling light headed, thoughts going crazy and breathing so quickly.
My husband calms me down and then I just started to monitor my thoughts. I noticed everyone else was walking normally, and looking around, chatting and listening to the guide. Why were my thoughts so irrational about getting trapped when these mines have been here for so long without any issues? So I decided to change my thoughts and focus on what the guide was saying and just try stay for ten minutes.
Well one and a half hours and one mile later we were out and I felt amazing! In fact I started feeling amazing inside the mines, when I calmed down the irrational thoughts that were plaguing my mind. I stood there and faced my fears and I felt like a millions bucks!
Straight after that we were led to our tour bus and taken up the mountains to a place called Eagle’s Nest, which for all you Sound Of Music fans, we traveled past Untersberg Mountain which is in the opening and closing scenes of the movie.
So now I get to face my fear of heights as the bus winds up this crazy narrow road, with the edge so close and it was a long way down. Again I started to freak out and was literally to scared to lean too much to the side in case the bus rolled over…crazy right?
But again my super helpful husband was there to guide me, and from my own training, was able to monitor my thoughts and choose new ones.
Again I faced my fears and it felt exhilarating to overcome them. To stand there in the face of them and be in that place of discomfort. It was frightening and completely freaked me out but boy am I glad I stood in that discomfort!
After that I felt like I could take on the world and was ready for more.
So I want to just put down a few quick tips for you to help you overcome your own fears today…
Step outside of your comfort zone – facing your fears is uncomfortable and there is no way around that, but you have to start getting comfortable with your discomfort.
Discomfort is not your enemy! @hayleyhobson (Click to Tweet!)
Face your fears – How do you overcome your fears and get to that place of discomfort? You step right up and face your fears. You have the power to dissolve those fears and remember these are thoughts your dealing with. Even though they feel so real, the only way to clear them is facing them.
Chip away at them each day – We all have fears on different levels for all different things and the best way to overcome them is to face them every single day. Even if it is a small fear like speaking to a stranger, signing up for a 5k race or asking for a raise. Just face that little fear and chip away at them every day.
Start with you biggest fears first – Work on those big fears first and as you dissolve them you will begin to feel like a powerful force, filled with confidence and ready to take on the world.
Keep the momentum going – Keep the momentum going and before you know it, you will make massive breakthroughs by simply taking action every day and keeping the momentum going.
You can do this. If I can I know you can.
XO
Hayley
Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, Kick-A$$ Business Guru, 7 Figure MOM-treprenuer. and passionate about empowering others to live the life of their dreams and is based in Boulder, CO. Hayley creates lifestyle transformations by coaching her clients to become the best WHOLE version of themselves possible. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.