Scared to LIFE by Mike Fallat
We've all heard the saying "I was scared to DEATH". But, my question is "why death and not LIFE?"
When I feel fear, something inside of me wakes up. I feel extremely alive and instinct takes over. Every ounce of my soul says "FIGHT HARDER", "FOCUS", and "USE THE FEAR TO YOUR ADVANTAGE".
In a recent interview I had with a professional MMA fighter who works with top names like Randy Couture and Wanderlei Silva, I asked him to give me his own personal thoughts when a tournament fight is about to begin.
He said "I don't care who you are, you are nervous before a fight. After all, your opponent wants to destroy you. It's when the fight or flight feeling comes over you. All of your senses are heightened and you feel truly alive".
If fear makes a person feel things they don't usually feel and causes them to take action towards an urgent task, then isn't that scaring them into LIFE?
Then again, some people freeze in place and fail to take action when danger looks them straight in the face. I guess it comes down to each person and knowing what kind of person they are. I guess it comes down to if they are a FIGHTER or FREEZER?
Fear causes a variety of reactions depending on the intensity, timing, and coping options available. The reactions include:
Freezing in place and feeling terror if we can't do anything to avoid the immediate danger.
Running or escaping from the immediate danger,
Sharply focusing our attention and mobilizing us to act to reduce or eliminate the danger when we can take effective action to cope with the threat, or
Panic, including shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, and the inability to focus on anything but worrying about the feared future event,
Fighting to destroy the object of our fear.
I want to let you all in on a little secret: I wrote my book, started my business, and push myself hard everyday BECAUSE I AM AFRAID.
I am so afraid to not get everything I want to get done in this world. I am so afraid to get stuck in a single spot for the rest of my life. I am so afraid to regret anything, period.
When I worked that corporate job, I was scared to become like my manager (hopeless, mediocre, and weak).
When I dated that girl, I was afraid to become accustomed to being treated as an option and not a priority.
When I was ignored in business because I wasn't born with any connections and money, I was afraid it would stay that way.
That is why I use FEAR to my advantage. And just like the professional fighter (above), fear heightens my senses, makes me feel ALIVE, and brings out the best version of me each and every day.
Do you have a book that you have always wanted to write? Do you have a business that you have always wanted to start? Do you need to make a big change in your life?
Remember, you hold the pen. You are in control. Use the fear to your advantage and find a way to win.
Next time life gets scary, don't let it scare you to death. Let it scare you to LIFE.
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By the way, it's September 8th. If you need something to scare you into action, maybe IT will help.
