We all experience fear from time to time. We worry about the economy, our own jobs, careers, and money. Fear is a deep seated emotion critical to our self preservation. In times past, there were fearful things which could kill us. If you did not run from, hide, or kill the saber toothed tiger, you likely would die. In our times, while the outcomes most often are less drastic, our body and mind react as they did in times past. We exhibit an overgeneralized stress response and, among other things, our elevated cortisol levels wear down our bodies and mind. This has been known for decades and is most often associated with Hans Selye. However, today neuroeconomists give us a different perspective. You ask, "What is a neuroeconomist?" They study and decode the decision making systems of the human mind. We've all heard the phrase "paralyzed with fear". Yet my favorite use of this word comes from Bill Walsh of Powerteam International who has referred to fear as "False Expectations Appearing Real". What neuroeconomists tell us is that when the fear system of the brain is active, further exploration and risk taking cease. When we are fearful and anticipate loss, we hold on more tightly to what we have and believe. All the energy we put into worrying drains us from being able to deal with new tasks and take the actions which would help us refocus and engage in more productive use of our body and mind energy.
Thus, what we need is to shift our body and mind. You can help to reduce the physiological stress response through a variety of methods to include breathing, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, meditation. Sometimes getting some exercise such as a good walk can help defuse the stress response. If you go to my website www.successandmindset.com you can download an ebook offering you mental and physical strategies to reduce your stress. However, to help you get into the right mindset, consider asking yourself the following:
What assumptions about myself and my world can I discard as they are not helping me?
What options are available to me even in a time of challenge?
What can I do/say/think to restructure and reinvent myself now?
As you start to answer these questions, you likely will be able to see new possibilities for yourself that can help you past current challenges and free you from the brain paralysis of fear holding you back. As always, Change your thoughts, Change your results.