My mission as a change coach is to assist people in taking the bold steps that are necessary to propel them to their next phase of development. This process is destined to confront long avoided fears as assuredly as Frodo had to go to the fiery darkness of Mordor to save Middle Earth. OK so it’s not that bad, but the point is F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real) can make it seem that bad. Without the commitment to stick it out, plans, visions and goals often stay in the hoping and wishing stage. On the other hand, if you can stand the heat and stay in the kitchen then just as assuredly meaningful and rewarding change is promised. It’s off to Mordor!

In my prior posting I laid out Step #1: cultivating the daily practices of Attention and Awareness. Greater attention is required to pull the covers off how often your choices are tainted by the limiting influence of F.E.A.R. If you have taken on this challenge, what you have probably discovered is that fear is a prominent voice on your steering committee. We know all about F.E.A.R. stopping us in our tracks when it comes to larger decisions like career or life change, but I trust you are beginning to see how F.E.A.R. is active at the granular level, the smaller, seemingly insignificant choices you make throughout the day.

This is an important stage in our quest to shrink F.E.A.R. This is where F.E.A.R. is most cunning but also most vulnerable. Cunning because it utilizes very reasonable sounding justifications to keep you under it’s control such as I’m too tired or I’ve done enough and vulnerable because as you begin to de-cloak F.E.A.R. you empower yourself to make different choices. This is when and where the fallacy of FEAR’s claim will be exposed. The evidence will not only be seen as false and unreal but it will be experienced as such! Mark this moment for it is the beginning of change.

Step #2 asks that you commit to the practice of Doing Something Different. To be more precise, do something different when you notice FEAR has an agenda. What should you do? My suggestion is make it contrary to FEAR’s advocacy. I think I’ll stop on the street and have a conversation with my neighbor and trust that it’s OK to spend time with her. This is where we will wage our battle against FEAR in the trenches of our small daily choices!

Your Step #2 practice goes like this- notice FEAR’s urgings and do something different. Do it as often as you remember. No need to be perfect. It’s only practice and you’re building a new muscle. As before, at the end of the day chronicle your discoveries, share them with another and you will deepen the learning. Remember to pay attention to what you gained by dismissing FEAR’s guidance and doing something different. I promise it will be positive.

You are building a foundation in which you will skyrocket to a freer and more exciting life. Keep on going, you’re doing great!