24 Seven September 2020

September 2020 Issue
It’s Time to Face Your Fears:
4 Steps to Stepping Out of
Your Comfort Zone
Written by Joan Herrmann
D
Do you allow fear to stop you
dead in your tracks whenever you think about trying
something new? Does that voice in your head conjure up
a list of reasons to be inactive, why you shouldn’t try to
accomplish a goal?
For most of my life, I was that person, too afraid to take
a chance, self-sabotaging myself at every turn. I had a
reason for every roadblock that I built; I allowed fear to
govern my life.
It took a major life upheaval and a lot of soul searching
to get me to change my ways. And when I did, I realized
that I hadn’t really lived - I played it safe and simply
survived.
Over the course of the past decade, I have had the
opportunity to interview people that have inspired and
challenged me to step outside of the comfort zone I called
life. I met warriors who have overcome tremendous
challenges and displayed courage that most can only
imagine They changed my way of thinking!
Some of these people were born without arms and legs,
or feet, or hands; others have lost their vision or the ability
to walk; and others have survived horrific trauma and now
live their life in service to others.
Every one of these people had every right to live in fear
as they faced unfathomable challenges, but they all chose
to confront their limitations and achieve what many
would consider to be “impossible”. They understood that
fear is nothing more than a mindset, a perception, False
Evidence Appearing Real. They taught me that each time
we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence
in the doing.
So, the next time you’re faced with an overwhelming
challenge, an opportunity to try something new, or the
chance to step out of your comfort zone, how do you push
fear aside and take action?
1. Evaluate the driving force behind your fear. Is it a
real consideration or something that you have created in
your mind?
2. Make a list of your concerns and attack them one
by one. Ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that can
happen?” (btw…it usually doesn’t).
3. Develop a plan of action. What is your goal and how
will you achieve it? Empower yourself with knowledge.
4. Muster up the courage and take a chance. The best
plans are meaningless without action. As the explorer
Christopher Columbus said, “You can never cross the
ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the
shore.”
Remember, it isn’t the end result that matters … it’s the
journey. You may just enjoy the ride!
About The Author
JOAN HERRMANN
Joan Herrmann, creator of the Change Your Attitude…Change
Your life brand, is the host of the radio show, Conversations with
Joan, which is broadcast on New York’s AM970 The Answer. She is
the publisher of 24 Seven magazine and a motivational speaker.
To Learn More Visit:
www.JoanHerrmann.com