Becoming Successful - How to Overcome Your Fear

If you have been taking action on making changes in your life, you've undoubtedly been interacting with this character, perhaps without ever having been formally introduced. He is the cautious follower, the one who knows all the rules and reminds you of them daily. He (or she for that matter) can be quite helpful at times, teaching you how to get along in life without being completely oblivious to how to interact with others and society. He's the guy who keeps you from sticking your hand on the stove when it's hot, or tongue on the pole when its freezing. Safety at all costs is his goal and over the years, he has been quite helpful to you.

However, by the time we hit our 30's, most of us are well aware of the dangers in life and need no further education in the ways of the world. We are resilient and can bounce back from failures, perceived or real. And yet, there your gremlin sits, day in and day out, just looking for opportunities to keep you safe. The gremlin aka the saboteur is a part of each of us.

For many, this helpful turned destructive character does not become noticeable until you become desirous of a change in your life. Perhaps you have decided to take a risk in your career, or share a deeper and more authentic side with your friends. That is when the gremlin can create havoc, whispering in your ear to stop before it is too late. She may even remind you of how safe it was to play in a small way, where everyone loves you and there is peace in the world. She hates change, instead loving the status quo. You may even get a sense of her in your stomach or heart, when you try to vocalize your dreams or goals. It's a reluctance to move forward, a warning deep within.

Once you realize where this obstacle is coming from, you can take steps to minimize the damage the gremlin plays.

1.Acknowledge that it exists. Don't try to pretend it isn't happening, the gremlin is relentless and will always win if you simply try to ignore it.
2.Practice Understanding. Once you know that the job of this character was to keep you safe, you no longer need to live under its unspoken rule.
3.Thank your gremlin. Visualize a conversation where you thank it for all of her help in keeping you safe, and let him know that you are in fact able to handle this situation without it's help.
4.Listen carefully to determine whether a fear is truly your own or if the gremlin is once again at work. Once you've begun to see your saboteur, it power begins to dissipate.