“Fear is just excitement without breath.” – Fritz Perls
Feeling fearful about doing something? Try this exercise:
- BREATHE DEEPLY.
- Think about whatever your biggest “doing” fear is – that is, what you’re most afraid of doing. For example, “Standing in front of a room and delivering a presentation.” Write it down.
- Now flip it around from fear to excitement, by completing this sentence: “I am SO EXCITED to be <insert your fear here> BECAUSE … ” For example, “I am SO EXCITED to be standing in front of a room and delivering a presentation BECAUSE…” and start writing all the reasons why you are excited about it, all the awesome things that can happen, and all the wonderful opportunities you’ll experience as a result of this action.
- Enjoy the incredible energy that comes from flipping your fear into excitement!
- Go DO whatever it is that you’re now excited about.
This exercise is lifted directly from the book “Money: A Love Story” by Kate Northrup. Read that book. Seriously.
I love this exercise. I also love the reminder that, whenever we’re feeling fearful, we just need to BREATHE DEEPLY and turn it into excitement with a powerful re-frame!
With love,
Israel. xo