A Fear of Our Own Possibility

I'm afraid.

We're all afraid.

But what we fear is not what we are, it's what we could and can be if only we dare.

Nelson Mandela said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

A powerful thought to contemplate…

But…

If we try, will it be good enough? If we dare, will we succeed? If we succeed, can we continually live up to the new standard and sustain our newfound success? If we can't, will we be left laying naked in the isolation of a short-term success and a long-lasting failure?

Ah…wait, we don't have to change, we can stay the same!

There's a reassurance in only being as good, as powerful, as successful, as accomplished as we are now. There's a certain contentment in remaining the same, bathing in the common glow of just what we have done and become until today. The comfort of the familiar; the certainty of staying the same—warm and fuzzy.

And it gets even better because we know we can be even better when the time is right.

There's a definite ease and satisfaction in only thinking of, talking about, and fantasizing in what we might do, become, or accomplish if one-day, someday when the "time is right". There's a snuggly security in waiting until we have all the stars aligned and the favor of a foretold-fortune to lead us from stagnation. "If only I had more of this, less of that, or absolutely everything just perfect, I'd be ready to be all I can be, but surely not before then—I just couldn't possibly consider it."

Ah, the seductive ease of thinking about the "if only".

Then comes a destiny-shaping decision point—to forget about the "if only" and move to the "what if" mindset.

Hummmm…

What if…?

What if we were to allow ourselves to become our boldest dreams? What if we were to pursue with passion fulfilling the deepest-held desires and the needs that stir our soul? What if we were to live up to all of our potential and fulfill the entire scope of our possibility?

By most measures and my own previous standards, I'm pretty successful. But, what if…?

What if I unleashed my sense of possibility and pursued achievement beyond any limiting belief? What if I opened the gates of prospect and opportunity to smash any fear of failure? What might I become, what might I be, do, have, or give?

Admittedly, it's a bit scary. But fear is an internal belief that's cured by an external commitment--action.

I've always been a person of action and it's time to crank it up a bunch of notches…

Care to join me?

Comments

[Mwangi]

Yup, you have one more recruit in "the action army".

You've raised up a number of great points:

First of all, where I am in my thinking, I think that as human beings our innate, natural desire is to become comfortable as quick as possible and remain there.

For us to become anything outside of our comfort zone requires us to take advantage of our most precious gift, free will, and push through all barriers including the biggest barrier of all, ourselves and our self imposed limits.

And I think that's one of the reasons there are so few success stories, because you are going against the grain and against what is natural.

Another great point is about how seductive the comfort zone is when we can delude ourselves with "if only" type thinking.

What I find interesting about "if only" type of thinking and thinkers is that they rarely, if ever, focus on becoming the ones who bring the circumstances after the "if only" statement to life.

I have realized if I continue to expand on all the great points raised,I will have a doctoral thesis and so I will leave the floor open for anyone else to comment.

I will finish with how I started: consider me yet another recruit in the force committed to taking action.

[Brennan Kingsland]

Excellent post!

Too often we stop ourselves from excelling through fear of criticism.

No one accomplishes great things without attacting detractors and naysayers.

Time to be a shining beacon of light for those who are seeking guidance and stop worrying about the ones who don't like the way our light shines.

Thanks for the great reminder!
Brennan

[Alex Kitingan]

Well put Spike!

What if clients were given such a rich and comprehensive description of the very result which is within reach for them, such a vivid picture of what is truly possible and given the assurance that the journey will be an experientially and materially rewarding one for them -- so much so that their belief index soars to heights of expectation never before pursued? There is no greater antidote to fear that could stop them dead in their tracks at any point along that journey except that of action.

What's the next logical step? Who's the next logical person to call and get a new perspective? What's the next thing that one could do to move toward the next target? Our actions, small as they may individually be, become that collective 'force multipliers' in their own way opening up more options of possibility.

Thanks Spike.

blessings and abundance

Alex

[Sandra Hurd]

Hi Spike,

I learned earlier this year that my deepest fears related to criticism and success. As I read the quote you have above by Nelson Mandela "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." I have to agree with that for myself.

I was not someone who anyone voted for as most likely to succeed and over the past 4 months I have been learning more about me and what success means to me. That is when I discovered my fears were holding me back and I studied this for about 1 month. I am not totally over my fears but each day I move closer to success. Being powerful beyond measure is something I would like to experience and enjoy. Until then I keep learning and applying what I learn. One day I will meet my destiny and I plan on being ready.

Thanks for the article.

Sandra Hurd

[Spike]

Thanks Sandra for sharing. You have all my confidence.

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