Daring Monday: Fear-Less

Wow, this last week and a bit has seen me move forward with leaps and bounds. I started the Pre-Writing Challenge (despite my fears), joined in Blisschick’s Delight in Lent Challenge (I’ve already checked six things off my list so far), and put myself out there by putting up my survey – a definite practical step forward. Only a sixth of the way into my Daring Year and I’m already feeling some momentum building up.

How are you doing on your Big Dare?

Are you feeling as much momentum building up under you, or are you stuck, or maybe you’ve forgotten about it?

Two weeks ago I dared us to master our procrastination by taking 3 baby steps (or, turtle steps as Glad puts it). That week Christine Kane sent out an article about Procrastination, and this past week I came across yet another blog post on Procrastination – this one specifically focused on Fear as the root cause.

It reminded me that, even though I’m actually moving forward it is not without fear and trepidation. I’m as likely, on any given day, to spend the same amount of time aimlessly surfing (pretending it’s got to with work) as I am actually working (Twitter is a two-edged swords – friend and enemy).

Fear is natural. We all feel it. None of us is truly immune to fear. We are just as likely to be afraid of succeeding as we are of failing (how does that make any sense). We might experience the same fear when we think about doing something little – like telling someone what we really believe – as we are about doing something huge – like throwing ourselves into our true passion.

Fear is illogical. I have an unbearable fear of roller coasters; it doesn’t matter how much I reason with myself, once I’m on the coaster the fear washes over me and leaves me a sobbing, shaking mess. I know better, but that doesn’t matter to my fear. Still, there is one thing that makes a difference (and don’t tell Wakizashi this or he’ll have me on every coaster within a two-hour drive): experience. Every time I ride a coaster and manage not to die I take a bit out of my fear. I permanently decrease it’s power.

It’s the end of February, and I’m still afraid of the same things that I feared in January when I knew that I had no choice but to be Daring this year. The difference between then and now is that I’m acting. I’m not fearless, but I am working on fearing less.

This week I’m committed to making even more forward progress; to snatching my power back from my fear by Doing. I’ll be doing at least one work focused task each day – and, of course, making sure I’m up to speed on the Challenge. I dare you to join me!

What was you cliff this year? (Didn’t set one yet? It’s not too late, what’s the one big thing you are longing to move forward in, but just as terrified to jump into? Daring Mondays is all about seeing you commit to, and then succeed at, this one thing.) Are you feeling the momentum build in it? Or is fear still holding you back? Did you jump only to grab the edge before you could really fall?

What are you afraid of? What action – one experience – can you give yourself that will help you to take your power back from Fear this week? Do it! (Yep, it’s that easy. Be sure to let us know what you are doing…)