Face the Fear → Find the Gear
Fear and excitement feel similar; aim the energy. Name the fear, reality-check outcomes, then climb a tiny step today.
Fear is only temporary. Regret lasts forever’
Fear is primal - and useful. The trap is waiting to “feel ready.” If you don’t try, the result is guaranteed. Professionals feel nerves too; the difference is they move with them.
Fear ≈ Excitement
Physiologically they’re siblings (racing heart, sweaty palms, shallow breath). Learn to label it as energy you can aim at the song, the set, the conversation.
Take back your power
Write fears down. What have they cost you? Why do they exist? For each, sketch options, the worst/best outcomes, and how likely either is. Most “worst cases” are unlikely - and mitigatable.
‘Being brave isn’t the absence of fear. It's about having that fear but finding a way through it’ - Bear Grylls
Ladder it
Not every fear needs a cliff-dive. Break the goal into rungs. Climb one, then the next. You can pause - but commit to returning.
Borrow courage
Ask a trusted person to sit in (or on stage with a tambourine), or to be your text-on-standby. A little social scaffolding goes a long way.
Activities & exercises (ready to use)
Symptoms of Fear (vs. Excitement)
Complete it with a friend. Compare signals and agree on a reframe.Fear Inventory & Drivers
List fears, what they’ve blocked, why they exist, and the options you have if they show up.Options–Outcomes Matrix
For a fear, pre-decide responses, worst/best outcomes, and likelihood; add mitigations.Fear-to-Action Ladder
Define the specific goal and five rungs from tiny to bold. Add support, confidence score, and a return plan if you bail mid-way.
Face the Fear → Find the Gear: pick one fear, complete the Options–Outcomes Matrix, and climb Rung 1 today.
Ping me if you would like a copy of the worksheets and I’ll send them through.
Remember to seek professional medical help or advice if you are working to overcome phobias or other trauma-related fears
This series, the content and any observations or suggestions made are based on my personal experience, anonymised to protect privacy. Nothing here is financial, legal, or medical advice - please seek professional guidance for your own situation.