There is a quote at my yoga studio “What would you do, if you knew you could not fail?” The first time I read it I knew the answer was yoga teacher training. I did not feel strong enough in my physical yoga practice to feel like I had earned any right to be a “yoga teacher” Scared to death but pushing the limits of my comfort zone I signed up. The answer then morphed into starting my own private practice. Flash forward six months and I was a new business owner.
So I’m curious what is it that you are holding yourself back from? What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What is the dream you try to stop yourself from having? The dream that feels too far fetched to dream?
I know for me it was fear of failure, fear of wasted time and money, and fear of embarrassment. Fear that people would judge me, that people would not believe in me and that I would prove them right. Fear that I was not enough.
Learning to Face Your Fears
And I know I am not alone because when I explore this idea with clients their fears are often the same as mine. There is usually a fear at the heart of what is holding them back.
Can you resonate? What are those fears surrounding the dream that you have? The things that hold you back?
Feelings are just feelings
And here’s the kicker what are you protecting yourself from? Because when I really got down to it I realized that I was protecting myself from feeling uncomfortable feelings. FEELINGS!!! Did I learn nothing from the childhood taunt “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”?
What a freeing realization to realize I have been protecting myself my whole life from something that I actually never needed protected from. I know I’m strong enough to handle the difficult feelings that come my way. And I know without a doubt you are too.
Counseling in Charlotte, NC
Are you ready to face your fears and reach your highest potential? I would love to support you if you are looking for counseling in the Charlotte area. You don’t have to live your life in fear.
Author: Therapist in Charlotte, NC
Theresa Leskowat MS LPC is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in Charlotte, NC. Theresa specializes in providing anxiety treatment, teaching stress management strategies, counseling for managing perfectionism, and divorce counseling.