Getting Clear with Your Fear

Each of us has a path on which we're walking. How smooth is the road under your feet? Based on current headlines and media chatter, your road to success may be littered with rocks and obstacles, each one with a different FUD label: Unemployment. Bankruptcy. Struggle. Scarcity. There may be some FUDs over which you have no control. However, when I look down my road, I clearly see that many of the FUDs in my way are rocks I've tossed there myself. What's a FUD, you ask? FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. The term FUD is credited to Gene Amdahl, who worked for IBM during the 1980s. He developed a marketing strategy that trained the sales force to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of its customers with regard to switching products. "Stick with IBM. We're big, we're safe, you know what you're getting. If you go with another company, anything could happen, and you might not like it." The technique was subsequently employed by Microsoft and has reared its ugly head in the political arena. FUDs turn up not only in marketing and politics; they show up in everyday life. If we get real with ourselves, we can admit that underneath the positive talk and confident face, there are at least a few FUDs that we stumble over. Do any of these FUD rocks sound familiar? <ul> <li>No one has any money to spend.</li> <li>If I market too much, people will get annoyed with me.</li> <li>There just aren't any new clients out there.</li> <li>I'm doing everything right and nothing's happening.</li> <li>It's going to be years before things get better.</li> <li>I have enough clients today, but what about tomorrow?</li> <li>If I don't get more clients now, my business will fail. </li> <li>I'm not sure I can handle this.</li> </ul> Some FUDs are pebbles, some are boulders. Even courageous, "fearless" people have to dodge FUD rocks on the road to success. What separates them from those who become tripped up by the rocks in their way? They recognize that where they feel fear, there is energy. There is something that wants attention. So, they bring that energy - that feeling of fear - into conscious awareness. The line between fear and excitement is very thin; the same adrenaline pumps through our bodies when we're afraid as when we're excited. The difference lies in how we choose to view the situation. You can make the choice to channel that energy into action. Through my work with coaching clients, I've experienced the power and clarity that comes when we're able to pull the FUDs out of the darkness and into the light, where they rarely stand up to scrutiny. The truth about your FUDs?  They want to be heard; they think they are keeping you safe from failure! Giving them a voice is not about focusing on fear and negativity; it's about putting FUDs in their proper place - and out of your way - so you can focus on building your strengths. If your FUDs are speed bumps on your journey and draining your energy, consider taking yourself through this four-step process that helps convert the energy of fear into action: <ol> <li>Draw the Scarcity Box - This is the place of feeling like there's not enough. If she wins, I lose. It's better to isolate, to keep ideas close to the vest. Small is safe. Hunker down, weather the storm. Action: Write down the FUDs that are in your way in any area of your business (or life); this may include marketing, finances, networking, an important decision, or the next big leap in your business. List every FUD, no matter how large, trivial, scary or petty they feel. Suspend judgment of yourself and your FUDs. Draw a box around the final list. Release the FUDs to the paper and don't think about them. Put the list away for the rest of the day.</li> <li>Perform a Reality Check - Now that you've gotten some distance from the Scarcity Box, you can approach it with a more objective eye. Action: After a good night's sleep, review your list and look for two things: assumptions and limiting beliefs. Many FUDs are assumptions: It's too hard to start a blog. No one is spending money. Others are most likely limiting beliefs: I've only been in business a year. The only way I'll get new clients is if I give things away. Label each of your FUDs: assumptions that need evidence and limiting beliefs that weigh you down. What if you look at one and think "But that one's true!"? Look deeper. Is it true? What evidence do you have? And if it really is a true and objective fact, is your fear about the truth itself, or is it about your ability to handle or respond to that truth?</li> <li>Recognize You Have Choices - When FUDs are identified as assumptions or limiting beliefs, you're able to see more clearly that choices exist. Action: Decide how you're going to respond to each of your FUDs. Assumptions can be proven or disproven through honest self-reflection and evidence gathering. Once you have obtained evidence, you can make an informed choice based on reality. Limiting beliefs require more soul searching. One way to clear them is by challenging them with the question "is that true?" Because the answer is usually "no, that's not entirely true," choices can emerge.</li> <li>Choose a Prosperity Perspective - From this vantage point, there is more than enough. Choice has replaced fear. There is collaboration instead of isolation; opportunity instead of threat; big instead of small; and win/win instead of win/lose. Action: Flip your FUDs to reflect an intentional choice that will erase the lines that form your Scarcity Box.  Shift your energy and choose excitement over fear. Commit to a new perspective: "FUD, I hear you and know that you're trying to protect me from risk and failure. My intention going forward is to place a high value on my services, show up with enthusiasm and enroll two new clients this month." Write down your commitments and integrate them into your business plan. </li> </ol> When you try this at home, it may not be as clear-cut as it appears here. And for the commitment to translate to results, you will need to develop an action plan. It's helpful to work through this process with your coach (you do have a coach, don't you?!). We're sometimes too close to the FUDs; the thought patterns are deep-rooted, and our emotions keep us from being objective enough to see where scarcity thinking is showing up and manifesting itself. I recommend you find someone you trust, with whom you feel completely safe, to support you through the process. On my road to prosperity and intention, there will always be a few pebble FUDs, and maybe the occasional boulder. They show up because I'm human: sometimes I need to vent and have something to kick around or throw. At least now I recognize what's happening and have a process to help me shift my energy. Will you join me in spending less time tripping along on Scarcity Street and more time strolling down Prosperity Path? For Your Consideration: <ul> <li>How smooth is the road that my business travels on?  </li> <li>What are the biggest FUD rocks in my way?</li> <li>What's going to cost me and my business more: ignoring my FUDs or working through them? </li> <li>What or who will best support me in clearing the path?</li> </ul> My Questions for You (Please Share in Comments): <ul> <li>What FUDs have you directly experienced or been witness to with your clients, customers or colleagues?</li> <li>What's your process for confronting or otherwise working through your FUDs?</li> <li>What resources/books/websites have helped you gain new perspectives on FUDs? </li> </ul> For Further Reading: <ul> <li>On Fear by J. Krishnamurti</li> <li>Feel the Fear... And Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, PhD. </li> <li>Loving What Is by Byron Katie with Stephen Mitchell</li> <li>Leadership & Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute</li> </ul>   2009-04-09T04:50:02Z

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getting-clear-with-your-fear

2009-04-11T15:41:07Z

2009-04-11T05:41:41Z

Words from an Ancient Sage: “The pathway is smooth. Why do you throw rocks before you?” Are you paving the way for success, or setting up your own roadblocks called fear? Learn how to begin clearing your way.

Getting Clear with Your Fear

2009-04-11T05:41:41Z