Fear prevents us from taking action and living a life we feel passionate about. Because behind every fear lies a dream. But how can we overcome our fears? How can we find the confidence and courage to overcome them one by one? I’m sharing 8 practical tips with you!

1 – Overcoming your fears: accepting your fears

Our fears bother us. We’re ashamed of them, so we hide them and pretend everything’s fine.

But we know that behind our fears lie our plans, our dreams. Behind our fears lie our happiness and joy.

In fact, to overcome our fears, we must first accept them.

In other words, you have to be able to say to yourself: “I’m afraid of this.

Then, you have to understand that it’s normal to be afraid. In fact, when we were very young, we were led to believe that we shouldn’t be afraid, that we should be strong.

But fear is normal. It marks out our path. It’s even a strong signal.

Because when we feel fear, it’s a signal that we’re about to take a new step, learn something and move towards greater happiness and joy.

Fear transcends itself, but we haven’t learned to do that. We’ve learned to pretend.

But we know that all is not well, that we’re not really happy, that something is missing.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to understand that fear is normal and will always be part of your path.

Fear just tells you that you’re about to give it your all.

Understand that everyone is afraid. It’s normal to be afraid of embarking on something new, something you’ve never done before.

2 – Learn about your fears

To overcome your fears, answer this question: “What am I really afraid of?”

Take your time. Get to the bottom of your fears.

Then try to understand them. In other words, learn about them.

For example, if you’re afraid of public speaking, find out what that fear is: what does it mean? What are the signs and symptoms? How can you specifically overcome it?

Because, all too often, we have fears we know nothing about. And in the end, it’s the lack of knowledge that only reinforces our fear.

In fact, when we educate ourselves, we gain the tools to overcome our fears.

They become less terrifying, more familiar, more surmountable.

3 – Overcome your fears: ask for advice or help

Everyone is afraid. Everyone who speaks in front of an audience for the first time is afraid.

The fear is more or less intense, but it’s there.

It’s normal. It’s a fellow traveler.

That said, some people give all the power to their fears, in other words, it gives them the steering wheel. But fears are simply passengers. They accompany us on our journey.

That’s why, to overcome your fears, it’s essential to seek advice and even help from people who have experienced the same fears as you.

In other words, go and meet people who have been through the same journey as you, and they’ll be able to give you the right advice or provide the best possible help.

What’s more, when you meet them, you’ll realize that they’ve overcome their fears, so why shouldn’t you?

You’ll realize that it’s possible! And then you’ll have done the hard part.

4 – Take it one step at a time

We’ve learned to be very strict with ourselves. Indeed, when we’re scared, we tell ourselves we’ve got to go!

That’s why we put on the brakes with both feet and never get over our fear. We ask too much of ourselves. The effort seems too intense, too important.

Because, in the end, we don’t feel up to it.

But there is another way, another way of doing things.

We can take it one step at a time.

For example: we’re afraid of public speaking. Why not start by practicing with trusted friends?

We’re afraid of changing jobs. Why not start with coaching?

In fact, we ask too much of ourselves.

When we’re afraid of public speaking, we immediately imagine ourselves speaking in front of hundreds of people; when we’re afraid of changing jobs, we already see ourselves handing in our letter of resignation.

But there are small steps we can take to build up our confidence and courage.

In fact, to overcome our fears, it’s essential not to be afraid of the top of the mountain.

Just look at your feet and climb the first step.

Remember, the best way to overcome your fears is to take action!

5 – Overcoming fears: learning

We’re afraid because we don’t feel up to the task.

When was the last time you learned something new?

In fact, without realizing it, we tend to fall asleep in our knowledge.

Why don’t you have some fun learning new things?

Yes, I mean have fun.

What’s more, understand that your fears only want you to do one thing: learn!

You have a lot to learn in this life! And it’s not at school that you have to learn these things, but as an adult!

That’s why, to overcome your fears, it’s essential to never stop learning.

6 – Overcoming your fears: getting out of your comfort zone

Maybe you haven’t realized it yet, but it’s quite possible that you’ve fallen asleep in your comfort zone.

Are you doing what you always do?

Well, yes, it’s handy to have habits and automatisms, because they help you move faster.

The problem is, the less you step out of your comfort zone, the more scared you get.

Because it’s the novelty, the change, the challenge that scares you.

And yet, it’s necessary to live a truly happy life.

In fact, if fears are suffocating you at the moment, it’s because you need to get out of your comfort zone, you need to change things to overcome your fears.

In fact, don’t give in to your fears. They can be overcome. That’s what they’re there for.

7 – Overcome your fears: listen to your heart

Our fears don’t hold us back in our lives; on the contrary, they come as messengers.

They tell us that, in this direction, you have things to learn that are important to you.

The problem is that our mind doesn’t like to be afraid. That’s why it does everything it can to make us believe that we’re not up to it, and that there’s no point in trying.

But if we go down a little further and give our heart a say, it will tell us: “That’s where I want to go!

Indeed, our heart wants to follow our fears, because it knows that they guide us towards the things that are most important to us: our dreams.

That’s why, to overcome our fears, it’s essential to listen to our heart.

Take time out regularly to look at your fears and see what’s behind them.

What’s important to you? What do you really want to do and live in this life?

8 – And start again…

You’ll always be afraid. Just like everyone else!

Fear is our companion on the road. Its role is to show us the way.

After all, we’re here to learn, grow and evolve.

We’re not here to lock ourselves into our comfort zone, to adapt to what doesn’t make us happy, and therefore to bow to our fears.

We have everything we need within us. All we have to do is dare, learn and move forward, step by step.

Believe it’s possible. Others have overcome the same fears as you, why shouldn’t you?

In fact, if you’re not afraid right now, it’s because you’ve fallen asleep. Wake up and move forward on your path. See where your fears lead you.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Surpassing yourself: 6 steps towards ultimate success!
Discover How to motivate yourself: 3 powerful steps to regain control of your life

I recommend this inspiring book:

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi
A candid look at tennis legend Andre Agassi’s life, struggles and achievements on his way to becoming one of the world’s greatest tennis players.
I love the way it’s written, with precision and capturing Agassi’s sense of humor. It’s highly entertaining and takes you back to your childhood/adolescence with descriptions of the most important matches he played. A curious life, with twists of fate that make all the difference.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself