Overcoming The Fear Of Risk
One of the challenges that every Internet marketer faces at some point in time is that of overcoming the fear of risk. Everyone’s life at some point or another will contain a challenge that involves an element of risk. That risk may come in many forms from physical risk to overcoming fear of failure. If has happened to you, you are not alone. We have all in some form or another experienced the fear of risk taking.
I read a great blog post today by Perry Marshall entitled, “Smashing Through The Black Wall Of Fear.” Perry Marshal writes some great posts that use real life experiences to show how we all can grow and become stronger in our lives as Internet marketers. Visit Perry Marshall’s Blog for this and other great posts.
But back to our topic of today.
Perry’s post described the challenge a young, inner city boy faced when he attended a camp with Perry and participated in a ropes course located 25 feet off of the ground. He describes the intense fear that paralyzed the young lad and how it stopped him from moving forward to complete the challenge of the course. Perry Marshall goes on to describe how one of the counselors at the camp came up with a way to help him with overcoming the fear of risk presented by the ropes course.
What this counselor did was show her charge exactly what would happen if he did fall off. You see, it isn’t always just the challenge itself that causes fear, but the unknown of what will happen if the worst possible scenario occurs. As you can well imagine, this young lad was most likely thinking of how unwelcome the impact of falling 25 feet would be. The counselor proved to him that with the safety gear he was wearing, he would come to no harm should the worst happen and he fell off.
And isn’t it exactly like that for the rest of us. We cling to what we know because we know what to expect. When we are presented with a new risk, it is the fear of the unknown that holds us back.
One way to overcome the fear of risk is to educate ourselves on what the worst case scenario might be should we fail. Just like this child, once we know the possible outcomes, we are able to make a decision on whether or not to proceed based on reality rather than our fear of risk taking.
Many of us have to overcome the fear of failure. While this is not something that will generally result in physical pain like a fall would, it does leave us open to emotional pain. We are afraid of what others might say or think of us if we do not succeed. And yet, if we never step out and take a risk, we will never achieve our dreams.
When you find yourself paralyzed by the fear of risk taking, analyze the consequences of failure. What is the worst thing that could happen? Are there steps you are able to take to minimize that risk? Once this is clear to you it is time to decide if you are willing to take that risk and overcome the fear of failure.
I know this is easier said than done. There may be others who you need to take into consideration when accepting risk as they would be effected as well. Taking the time to fully analyze the possible consequences is the responsible way of dealing with risk. This knowledge assists us in overcoming the fear of risk and allows us to make a meaningful decision in regards to the challenges we face in our lives.
I encourage you to visit Perry Marshall’s Blog for this and other great posts.
To Your Success,
SherryD
http://www.wbobr.com
Long time ago, I saw in some papers article on similar subject. Ever since then I’m trying to use their tips in my everyday life, and most of them comes to ones you pointed out. But most important is understanding how failure can affect your life, and how long will it take to get back on your feet.
I think that many people don’t understand that failures sometimes could benefit you more than success.
[...] Overcoming The Fear Of Risk [...]
Great and encouraging post on how to overcome fear. Emotional problem like this is not easy to overcome. It takes a lot of courage in order overcome fear. Thanks for this encouraging post.
Just make sure that when you gamble, you have gamble something that you have budgeted for and left some reserve in case the venture has not performed at par with expectations.
Thinking of the consequences should we fail is a very good motivator to overcome fear. But oftentimes, we are so engrossed with our fear that we loose our reason. Perhaps courage is also an important element to battle fear.
I do believe many of us are afraid in many different ways. It is even possible some of us may be afraid to succeed and as a result, unconsciously sabotage our efforts.
Be aware of what you are really afraid of. You will soon see how much those fears limit you because of the way you react when faced with them.
A lot of times, we get scared of things because we don’t understand them. And just because they’re in the unknown, so we think of them as a risk to us.
When you have overcome the fears in your mind, you need to start taking some risks. Even if you don’t think about them, you take some risks each and every day. A lot of the risks you take are little, but there is a risk to nearly every decision that you make.
Things make you scary and you always try to pretend that they will go in a wrong way and will convert into a dangerous stuff, “RISK” but there is always a solution to oversome from the fear is to make yourself “indomitable” for fighting.
Risk is everywhere whether you are doing business online or off the line. Just imagine if there was no solution for any risk then we all will be living in a world of risk.
History reveals that all successful entrepreneurs have risked the most in their life, some continue to do so after attaining everything they ever dreamt of. Initially, they too must have experienced fear, but I guess later on they must have figured out that being fearless and taking responsibility of the consequences later is the quality which separates one from the common man.
I would like to add here that it is not always fear that suppresses your action! Sometimes your situation decides whether you can take a risk or not. Teenagers can take risk when doing business but adults have to be aware of numerous parameters (some predictable, some not).
The risk of failure is probably the worst of its kinds. It really stopped me from doing things that I really wanted to. Societal pressures are another reason. “What would others think” thing really spoils life! You are right by suggesting the worst-case scenario. Had I tried it years ago then life would have been different. Anyways, not too late to begin. With my newly begun internet marketing work, I would definitely apply this at the times of need. Thanks a lot.
I always dreamed of opening my own restaurant near my home. The fear of risk and failure stopped me every time. Now I see a restaurant standing at the place where I dreamt of, but it does not belong to me. Every time I look at it I feel that it could have been mine had I trusted myself at the right time and risked!
I believe fear still holds a lot of us back,we might not realize it as it may affect us subconsciously but when we are shown that fear kind of like the rope scenario and understand it we are then able to manage it.