How to overcome fear-based decision making

1. Avoid choosing targets where the stakes are low

If you set a goal that’s in your comfort zone, you are setting the stakes very low. Failing in your safety net is another way of holding yourself back. If you fail there, you won’t really suffer a setback, you will simply be maintaining the status quo. If you don’t feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, you’re not really trying anything new. It’s good to feel stupid if you mess up!

2. Nobody wants you to fail

You may succeed, or you may fail. Not many people will care either way - but this is a good thing! You are only a small part of the big world, so this means that you can chase your dreams without worrying what other people think of you.

3. Even if it seems like an insurmountable task, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get started now

Feelings of uncertainty and fear tend to have a way of making you feel like you are unprepared.

• “I should gain more experience before I go for this job.”
• “I should really learn more before I take this exam.”
• “I should practise more before I compete.”

This all fuels the fire of fear-based decision making. Stamping these thoughts out is the best way forward -  starting the task may be tough, but it will get easier.

Think about this question: How long will you put off what you’re capable of doing just to maintain what you’re currently doing?

4. Avoid making uncertain things certain

Why are you going to fail? Just because your friend didn’t manage to finish that race, it doesn't mean you won’t. Just because a colleague didn’t get promoted, it doesn’t mean you won’t have a chance. You might have tried to lose weight before, but that does not mean that you can’t do it now.

Try to avoid thinking failure is certain, because it’s not.