How to Be a Fear-Crushing Leader
What leads you determines how you lead others!
Just Jump!
When my daughter, Kiersten, was young, we were invited to go swimming with friends, and she was introduced to a swimming coach. Now, we are not big swimmers, but I asked if she would be interested in taking swimming lessons. The coach tried to get Kiersten to jump into the pool, but she would glance at the water, then at me, and would say no. After about three attempts, the swimming coach said, “While you are making the decision to jump in, I’m going over here to these little kids that are not scared to jump in the pool.” Then he swam away.
My heart sank and my internal momma bear was thinking “how could he talk to her this way, he just met her.” I could feel the fear that she had about jumping into the pool. In that moment, she made a decision to jump in, fear and all. She didn’t consider whether she would get hurt or drown, she just jumped. Afterwards, she was so excited, she got out and ran to tell the swimming coach. My daughter was face-to-face with fear—the fear of drowning, the fear of no one helping her—and she did it anyway.
Just Jump!
Fear: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; anxious concern - Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
We all face fear, but I believe there is a difference between experiencing fear and being fearful. Whether it is the fear of losing a job, fear of failure or illness, fear of not being able to pay your bills, fear of not being successful (or of being successful), and, of course, fear of the unknown, we are all confronted with fear. So how are you handling fear?
Fear can be an illusion. No matter what the fear is, it can be debilitating and will handicap your dreams of today and tomorrow. I believe fear’s purpose is to stop you from doing what is next and progressive in your life. It doesn’t want to just rob you of today, it wants to rob you of your potential and your future.
If fear is a tactic used to keep you stuck and to not live out your purpose, how do you combat it? Remember I said, “What leads you determines how you lead others”.
Like you, I have had my share of past experiences and at times have let fear take control. I want to encourage you with 3 principles that I have followed and that have proven to be life-changing for me in crushing fear and living faith-filled.
1). Think Right (your belief system)
This is not just positive thinking, this is POWERFUL thinking.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV), so this is a reminder that your behavior follows your thoughts. How you perceive your obstacles can have an impact on you both mentally and physically. Be encouraged today knowing that you are not facing it alone. Don’t rely heavily on your feelings, they have the ability to lie to you sometimes. Also, look at your obstacle as an opportunity to grow. You can’t be an overcomer if you don’t have an obstacle and you can’t have a testimony without a test. Let the most difficult seasons in your life grow you!
2). Talk Right (your confessions)
A POWERFUL belief system leads to POWERFUL confessions.
POWERFUL confessions lead to a POWERFUL life.
Are you always talking about your past? Stop fueling your past mistakes done by you and to you. Rehearsing it causes continued anxiety. So, don’t let your past be the main topic in your future conversations. Negative talking comes from negative thinking.
3). Walk Right (your lifestyle)
Again: A POWERFUL belief system leads to POWERFUL confessions.
POWERFUL confessions lead to a POWERFUL life.
Choosing to live in fear of the past, thinking it will repeat itself, is not healthy. Don’t let fear of past bad choices compounded by shame stop you. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from your destiny. So, don’t live in the past! Live for today and prepare to live in the future. We are all on a journey to grow in character, leadership, and in our relationships, so keep moving. Your process and journey will lead to success if you don’t get stuck.
Remember I said, “What leads you determines how you lead others”. If you are led by fear, you will lead with fear. And you will encourage others to be fearful. Be empowered today to lead by example.
La-Kita
“Be a Leader Worth Following”
What are your biggest takeaways? Share in the comments below.