This comprehensive guide on how to do something that scares you will help you identify your fears, understand them, and take actionable steps to overcome them.
Are you tired of letting fear dictate your life? This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process, share the benefits of facing your fears, and provide everyday examples to inspire you.
Plus, we’ll share tips on how to face your fears and answer frequently asked questions on the topic.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to face your fears head-on and live a more fulfilling life.
How to Do Something That Scares You: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Identify Your Fear
The first step in doing something that scares you is to identify what exactly it is that you’re afraid of.
Is it public speaking? Starting a new job? Moving to a new city?
Once you’ve pinpointed your fear, you can start to address it.
Step 2: Understand Your Fear
Try to understand why this particular thing scares you.
Is it because of a past experience? Or perhaps it’s fear of the unknown?
Understanding the root cause of your fear can help you address it more effectively.
Step 3: Visualize Success
Imagine yourself successfully doing the thing that scares you.
Visualization can be a powerful tool in overcoming fear.
By creating a positive image in your mind, you can start to change your perception of the fearful situation.
Step 4: Break It Down
Break down the task into smaller, manageable steps.
This can make the task seem less overwhelming and more achievable.
Each small success will build your confidence and reduce your fear.
Step 5: Prepare and Practice
Preparation can help reduce fear.
If you’re scared of public speaking, for example, practice your speech in front of a mirror or with a close friend.
The more prepared you are, the less scary the task will seem.
Step 6: Seek Support
Don’t be afraid to seek support.
This could be from friends, family, or a professional like a coach or therapist.
They can provide encouragement, advice, and a different perspective on your fear.
Step 7: Take Action
Finally, take action. Remember, it’s okay to feel scared. It’s normal.
What’s important is not to let your fear stop you from doing what you want to do.
Take a deep breath, and take that first step.
Step 8: Reflect and Celebrate
After you’ve done the thing that scares you, take time to reflect on the experience.
What did you learn? How did you feel?
Celebrate your courage and the fact that you’ve taken a step towards overcoming your fear.
Remember, it’s okay to be scared. Fear is a natural human emotion. But by identifying, understanding, and confronting your fears, you can start to overcome them and do the things that scare you.
Why You Should Do Things That Scare You
Personal Growth
Doing things that scare you pushes you out of your comfort zone, which is where personal growth happens.
It forces you to learn new skills, adapt to new situations, and overcome challenges.
This can lead to increased self-confidence and a stronger belief in your abilities.
Expanded Comfort Zone
Each time you do something that scares you, your comfort zone expands.
What was once scary can become familiar and even comfortable.
This can open up new opportunities and experiences that you might not have considered before.
Increased Resilience
Facing your fears can help you develop resilience.
You learn that you can survive failure and come out the other side stronger.
This resilience can help you navigate future challenges and setbacks more effectively.
Improved Decision-Making Skills
When you’re scared, you’re forced to make decisions under pressure.
This can help improve your decision-making skills and your ability to think on your feet.
These are valuable skills that can benefit many areas of your life.
Greater Life Satisfaction
Finally, doing things that scare you can lead to greater life satisfaction.
It can help you live a more fulfilled and exciting life, filled with new experiences and achievements.
Instead of wondering “what if,” you’ll know that you’ve given things a try and lived life to the fullest.
14 Tips on How to Do What Scares You
Here are some practical tips on how to face your fears and do what scares you:
- Recognize Your Fear: Start by acknowledging your fear. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, take a moment to explore these feelings. Often, they’re a sign of underlying fear. Once you’ve identified this fear, you can start to address it.
- Prepare and Practice: Just like a musician wouldn’t perform without rehearsing, you shouldn’t face your fear without some preparation. Learn what you can, train yourself, and practice. This preparation can help build your confidence and make the fear less daunting.
- Take the First Step: Think of something you’ve always wanted to do but have been too scared to try. Then, take one action towards it. This could be researching a trip you’ve always wanted to take or signing up for a class you’ve been interested in. Taking action can help keep fear at bay.
- Celebrate Your Courage: When you face your fear and take action, celebrate it! You’re no longer letting fear control you. Recognize your efforts and courage, then keep going.
- Visualize Success: Picture yourself successfully doing the thing that scares you. This mental practice can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
- Use Positive Affirmations: Repeat positive statements to yourself when you’re feeling scared. Phrases like “I am capable” or “I can handle this” can help combat self-doubt.
- Breathe Deeply: Deep breathing can help calm your body and mind. When you’re feeling scared, focus on your breath. Inhale deeply, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly.
- Seek Support: Reach out to others for support. This could be a friend, family member, or a professional counselor. They can provide encouragement and advice.
- Start Small: If your fear is overwhelming, break it down into smaller parts. Start with a less scary aspect of your fear and gradually work your way up.
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you accept your fear without letting it control you. Focus on the present moment without judgment.
- Reward Yourself: After facing your fear, do something you enjoy. This can make the process more enjoyable and motivate you to keep going.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can boost your mood and energy levels, making it easier to face your fears.
- Embrace Failure: Understand that it’s okay to fail. Failure is a part of life and it’s often through failures that we learn and grow.
- Stay Persistent: Overcoming fear is a journey. Stay persistent and keep facing your fears, even if progress seems slow. With time and practice, things will get easier.
Do Something That Scares You Everyday
Pushing yourself daily fosters continuous personal growth
When you step out of your comfort zone and face your fears, you open the door to personal growth.
Each day presents an opportunity to push yourself beyond what feels comfortable.
By taking on new challenges, you can discover hidden strengths and capabilities that you never knew existed.
Whether it’s trying a new hobby, speaking in public, or taking on a leadership role, embracing the discomfort is essential for self-improvement.
Small acts of courage add up over time, leading to significant progress
You don’t have to conquer all your fears at once. Instead, focus on small acts of courage every day.
These little steps may seem insignificant individually, but when accumulated over time, they lead to significant progress.
For example:
- Start by engaging in a conversation with someone you don’t know.
- Try a new exercise routine that pushes your physical limits.
- Take up a challenging project at work that stretches your skills.
- Share your creative work with others even if it makes you vulnerable.
By consistently facing these smaller fears head-on, you build momentum and develop resilience that will help you tackle bigger challenges in the future.
Regularly facing fears expands your comfort zone and reduces anxiety levels
Fear often holds us back from reaching our full potential. However, by regularly confronting those fears, we expand our comfort zones and reduce anxiety levels.
When we repeatedly expose ourselves to situations that scare us, they become less intimidating over time.
What once caused panic or unease gradually becomes familiar territory.
For instance:
- If public speaking terrifies you, start by speaking up during team meetings.
- If social interactions make you anxious, challenge yourself to attend one social event per week.
- If heights give you butterflies in your stomach (or you dream about butterflies), try going on progressively taller hikes or visiting observation decks.
Everyday examples of doing something that scares you
Some disclaimers: The goal is to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone, not to put yourself in danger or take unnecessary risks. Always consider your personal circumstances and consult with professionals when needed.
Social Challenges
- Start a conversation with a stranger.
- Attend a social event alone.
- Join a club or group to meet new people.
- Volunteer for a leadership role in a group or organization.
- Ask someone out on a date.
- Speak up in a meeting or class.
- Share a personal story or experience with others.
- Give a public speech or presentation.
- Stand up for someone else in a difficult situation.
- Express your feelings to someone who has hurt you.
Career Moves
- Apply for a job you think you might not get.
- Ask for a promotion or raise.
- Change careers entirely.
- Start your own business.
- Go back to school to further your career.
- Take on a challenging project at work.
- Offer to mentor a new colleague.
- Learn a new skill that could advance your career.
- Network with people in a field you’re interested in.
- Give a presentation or talk at a professional conference.
Adventure and Travel
- Travel to a country where you don’t speak the language.
- Try an extreme sport, like skydiving or bungee jumping.
- Go on a solo trip.
- Try a new type of cuisine in a foreign country.
- Learn to scuba dive or surf.
- Climb a mountain or go on a long hike.
- Take a road trip without a set destination.
- Camp in the wilderness.
- Explore a new city without a map.
- Book a last-minute flight to a random location.
Personal Development
- Start a daily meditation practice. Tip: If seated meditation gets you antsy, try moving meditation.
- Learn a new language.
- Read a book on a topic you know nothing about.
- Take up a new hobby, like painting or playing an instrument.
- Write a book or start a blog.
- Run a marathon or participate in a fitness challenge.
- Learn to cook a complex dish from scratch.
- Take a class on a subject you’re interested in.
- Commit to waking up early every day.
- Set a goal to save a certain amount of money each month.
Health and Wellness
- Start a new workout routine.
- Try a new type of exercise class, like yoga or Pilates.
- Commit to a healthy eating plan.
- Quit a bad habit, like smoking or drinking soda.
- Start a mindfulness practice.
- Try a new type of therapy or counseling.
- Commit to getting a certain amount of sleep each night.
- Try a digital detox for a day or a weekend.
- Start a daily journaling practice.
- Learn to cook a new healthy recipe.
Creative Endeavors
- Start a creative project, like painting or writing a novel.
- Learn a new instrument or take singing lessons.
- Start a YouTube channel or podcast.
- Take a dance class.
- Learn to knit, crochet, or sew.
- Start a DIY project for your home.
- Take a photography class.
- Write and perform a piece of spoken word poetry.
- Learn to make jewelry or pottery.
- Start a garden.
Do Something That Scares You Quotes
Here are 11 quotes that can inspire you to face your fears:
- “Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” – George Addair
- “Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” – Japanese Proverb
- “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” – Ambrose Redmoon
- “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
- “Fear is the brain’s way of saying that there is something important for you to overcome.” – Rachel Huber
- “The key to change… is to let go of fear.” – Rosanne Cash
- “Don’t fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today.” – Unknown
- “Fear is temporary. Regret is forever.” – Unknown
- “Fears are nothing more than a state of mind.” – Napoleon Hill
And finally, my personal favorite quote related to overcoming your fears:
- “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” – William Shakespeare
Key Takeaways on Doing Things That Scare You
Doing something that scares you is a powerful way to grow personally and expand your horizons.
It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing the unknown, and learning to navigate through fear.
Fear is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to control you.
With the steps, tips, and insights provided in this guide, you’re now equipped to face your fears and do something that scares you.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to embrace your fears and start living a life filled with courage, growth, and endless possibilities.
FAQs on How to Do Something That Scares You
Q: How do I find the courage to do something that scares me?
A: Finding courage often comes from preparation and practice.
Learn about what scares you, break it down into manageable parts, and take small steps towards facing it.
Also, visualize success, use positive affirmations, and seek support from others.
Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward despite it.
Q: What if I fail when doing something that scares me?
A: Failure is a part of life and it’s often through failures that we learn and grow.
If you fail when doing something that scares you, try to see it as a learning opportunity.
Reflect on what went wrong and how you can improve.
Every attempt, whether successful or not, brings you one step closer to overcoming your fear.
Q: How long does it take to overcome a fear?
A: The time it takes to overcome a fear can vary greatly from person to person and depends on the nature of the fear.
Some people might see significant progress in a few weeks or months, while others might need more time.
The key is to be patient with yourself and keep taking steps towards facing your fear, no matter how small.
Q: Can doing things that scare me improve my confidence?
A: Absolutely! Facing your fears and doing things that scare you can significantly boost your confidence.
Each time you face a fear, you prove to yourself that you’re capable of handling challenging situations, which can make you feel more confident in your abilities.
Q: How to do something that scares you severely?
A: If something scares you severely, it might be helpful to seek professional help, such as a therapist or counselor.
They can provide you with strategies and techniques to manage your fear.
Also, remember to start small and gradually expose yourself to the thing that scares you.
Don’t rush the process and be kind to yourself along the way.