The Fearless Factor | Overcome Fear Now

Nobody said change was easy.

You are breaking habits that have been acquired over a lifetime of negative conditioning.

In my book The Fearless Factor, I use the jungle as a metaphor for the confusing and sometimes threatening territory we call life. When you are lost in the jungle of life, unsure of which way to go or what to bring on the trip, you are living in survival mode, afraid of what comes next.

You don’t trust that you know what you know, and you fight the branches of your life to clear the way so you can see where you’re going, only to find there are more tangles and blockages than before.

The jungle appears vast, and you feel small—but it is only your perception that you are small and lost in a huge place because you cannot know the entire picture from the small space you inhabit at the entrance. You are already in fear of what the jungle holds and you imagine worst-case scenarios.

The wild animals of your fear are:

the insects of insecurity
the twisted paths of misdirection
the broken trail of dreams not met
the landslides blocking healthy relationships

—these are the elements of life, and they are all in the jungle of your mind.

But if you understand that you cannot KNOW anything beyond where you stand at that moment, then the journey becomes one of discovery as you move from moment to moment.

Few of us care to enter unknown, forbidding territory. You don’t know what’s waiting for you there. Your mind shifts into overdrive, creating the worst possible scenarios. You stand quivering at the entrance and derive great satisfaction from knowing you are being sensible and can’t possibly do what you think you can do. You think it is better just to stay where you are.

My family spent many hours hiking through the Rockies and the beautiful State Parks of the Western United States and Canada. Much of it was extremely challenging but we were motivated to get to the top of the mountain to see the view, and valiantly climbed upwards with children in tow.

During these hikes, we frequently set out on a trail with only a map, a supply of water and food, and a strong desire to see what we could of this astonishing landscape. Occasionally the trail was tricky enough that we needed a guide to take us through the high passes and confusing waterways. It was sensible because we had no interest in getting lost in the wilderness, although there were times when we did. And there were other times that we wished we had a guide. When it was getting dark, or when the path disappeared and we had to backtrack. It was a little scary at these times, but we always managed to make it back to our car. (This is the view from Mt. Assiniboine near Banff. A great hike with guides!)

Fear has been described as the sharp edge of excitement and you are discovering the truth of that. Fear is one of the most powerful motivating forces we have. When you acknowledge that, when you accept the challenge of change, that’s when powerful things start to happen. And it all begins with your thinking.

The mind is a powerful place.

EVERYTHING you are, everything you experience, everything you create in your life, is a product of your mind.

The mind is always creating and interpreting. It is conditioned by what you believe. It is your own, personal reality based on these perceptions.

This is the territory of the jungle. This is where your biggest fears lie, and your biggest opportunities exist. Learning how to navigate the jungle of your mind is your mission. Keep your eye on the goal and the rest will take care of itself.

You may remember the television show Mission Impossible, and the movies starring Tom Cruise. What the hero’s stories all had in common was the ability to fly into the abyss of the unknown. It’s what everyone wishes they could do. In your secret place, you dream of being able to scale tall buildings, leap across chasms, and fly above the world unhindered by gravity. You want the excitement of Mission Impossible, but not the scary stuff that goes with it. Unfortunately, the scary stuff is part of the ride.

In the desire to manage your fears, you believe:

If only things were perfect, life would be fine.
If only I could control the elements of my life, I will feel safe.
If only I could limit my expectations, I wouldn’t ever be disappointed.
If I refuse to speak up even when wronged, then I’ll be safe.
If I do all this, then no one will have the opportunity to reject, abandon, or ridicule me.
I will be safe if I limit the expression of who I really am.

But are you?

When you learn how to confront the obstacles, accept the challenges, and go beyond the barriers of your negativity in your mind, these barriers disappear. The mind does not discriminate. You do. You are the master of your own fate if you wish to be.

The jungle is full of great beauty and inspiration. Life is a wonderful adventure. Are you ready to live your best life now?

To find your guide check out my coaching program Sometimes all we need is a little focus and clarity to figure out what’s next.

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