I am Fearless

A business associate posted a photo on her Facebook wall hat said “I am Fearless.” I took note but it didn’t quite resonate with me as it did with another person. She replied “I woke up thinking about this and realized that I am not fearless, but I really should be and want to be. I've always been a risk taker and I've always been one to push the envelope but I still have fear and there are areas in my life that I still hold back on due to fear.”

I replied “I am fearless and have been most of my adult life. Join me!” Yes, after graduating college I did everything I set my mind to and without fear. I traveled to Europe by myself backpacking from France to Switzerland to Italy and then flew to Egypt for a 7 day tour. Then a few years later I visited Egypt again and walked the streets of Cairo, fearless. I moved to a new city, with a little bit of trepidation as to my future, but I risked it and did it, becoming fearless as each day passed. I met my soul mate, Rick, on the Internet. Again, fearless. Taking a risk, meeting strangers, to find “the one.”

Do I have any fears at all? Oh yes. When I unexpectedly come within 25 yards of a bear in Yellowstone that is a REAL fear! I fear being injured in a car crash. I fear my loved ones dying too soon. But that is not the context in which I define myself as fearless. The context to which I refer to the term “fearless” is my personality and the actions I take to be who I am. My actions are a bit more risky than most, and there are times when I question, “am I being fearless or just plain dumb!” Like the time I walked through a dark park in Rome at 10pm, only to learn the next day from a handwritten sign in broken English on the bank door to watch out for “thiefs, robberys, and rappers.” The latter meaning rapists, not hip-hop singers.

So do you fear that prevents you from being who you want to be? Is it realistic? Or are the thoughts in your head lying to you? Because you do know that thoughts are NOT facts, right? Just because you “think” it doesn’t make it true. Ah, gotcha you on that one, didn’t I? Mull that over a bit and apply that statement to your next thought filled with fear or uncertainty. Are you really that shy or do you lack trust in people until you get to know them? Do you allow your thoughts about your body image control your actions thus hindering your success?

Get this: I was 240 pounds when I did a zip-line course through the jungles of Belize. I was 260 pounds and sang my first solo in front of an audience of 300. My weight didn’t stop me but it would stop a dear friend of mine. I’m not saying I don’t experience fear, I do. I just get over it quicker than most. For example, I WAS afraid of the height of the zipline and I WAS afraid of singing in front all of those people. But only for a few seconds and I sure didn’t let that stop me.

So, what is it that is stopping you? Write down your fears, check off the all non-factual thoughts from the list, and then act as if you have no fear. Get to the point of being fearless to succeed in your dreams!

Alicia White is the CEO of Back of the Room Productions, home of the Speakers Briefcase™, Authors Briefcase™, and The Speaklet™ and North America's first Back of the Room Branding and Marketing Materials Provider. Copyright 2012.