Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Learn more about the Allen James mission and browse/preview/purchase his publications at:

www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks

(As promised, my report on the last few day's events and whether I "practiced what I preach".  I did.  I spent quality time with family and visited with friends from the past over the last few days while "back home".  It always leaves me coming back to "my world" in better spirits and great memories.)

For August 4th from The Journey:  A Calendar Book we read,

"Fear suffocates success, at least try" (James, 2012).

Fear - we all experience it.  Fear is as natural to human existence as is breathing.  Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we didn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations which are far from life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason. Personal trauma or bad experiences can trigger a fear response within us difficult to quell. However; psychologists tell us opening ourselves up to our personal demons is the best way to move past them.

One of the biggest killers of personal success is fear. Fear of putting ourselves out there, fear of how we'll be perceived by others, or something as simple as a fear of public speaking can paralyze us, wasting hours and days which could have been used more effectively.

People fear making choices, especially big strategic ones, because it makes us accountable for the consequences. Choices are always a risk, so they get passed along or don't get made. This is not something anyone can entirely get rid of, but there are ways to overcome it, get back to work, and even make anxiety productive. Most successful people don't lack fear. They just manage to find a way to act and persevere in spite of it.
   
View fear as inevitable. Some things will fundamentally give us a feeling of dread in the pit of our stomach. Whether it's presenting in front of a group, meeting with a particular manager, or making a decision which will affect many people, some things will always produce anxiety.  But it doesn't have to slow us down. The more fear is viewed as inevitable, the less power it has over our personal success.  We must define the anxiety "sweet spot" in our lives.  Becoming overanxious can be debilitating,  but finding a place where there's enough anxiety to make us alert and motivated, but not so nervous we're debilitated is key.   Recognizing the benefits of anxiety, and using it as motivation to get prepared and push ourselves to perform well, can change what we once experienced as a hindrance to personal success into a power catalyst for personal success. Channeling it in the direction we're focused on heading instead of into a loop of self-doubt leads to a better result.

Once again, personal success is just this, PERSONAL.  One can make plans and map out their futures as painstakingly as possible, yet life's "back roads" have a way of affecting those plans.  As I've written before, I never would have dreamed my life would be what it is today years ago.  Personal success has come to me on its terms, in its time, and in the form which best fit my abilities and potential.  Have I been afraid as it has developed in my life?  For certain.  Yet I've learned by experience when I face those fears straight on, I can use fear to my advantage instead of turning away and cowing down.

Fear suffocates success, at least try.  Keep looking up.  : )   AJ