By Mike Thomas, NBHWC May 23, 2024
As a health coach, I believe it’s really important to take action even when we’re afraid. Even if it is a small action step. Often the first, small step is the most difficult. Fear gets in the way sometimes. Everyone has fears—some are real, but most are just in our heads.
We fear failing. We fear success. We fear what others think. It doesn’t matter what you’re scared of. What matters is what you decide to do when you’re scared. Will you let your fears control you? Will you keep moving forward? Will you look for support to help you on your journey? These are all choices you can make.
A few years ago, while working at a Fortune 500 company, I read a book called “Take the Stairs” by Rory Vaden. This book is full of powerful stories that made me think, reflect, and feel inspired.
Below is a blog I wrote almost 10 years ago for my employees. In it, I talk about overcoming fears, or even better, taking action even when you’re afraid. Even though this blog, “A Minute With Mike,” was written nearly 10 years ago, the message still resonates and is very relevant today. The blog is titled “Do It Scared.”
A Minute with Mike November 29, 2014
Do It Scared (excerpt from Take The Stairs by Rory Vaden)
I once heard the true story of a woman was trapped in a burning building in a very high floor. She had an intense fear of heights and an intense fear of closed in spaces.
So when the fire alarm went off, she refused to follow her colleagues into the stairwell to evacuate to safety. She could not handle the thought of going down the stairs and being able to look down the middle stairway all the way to the bottom.
The thought of being trapped inside the stairwell was too much for her so instead, she made a conscious choice to hide under her desk and wait to die. She was willing to choose death over facing her fears.
Finally, a fireman found her and began to drag her toward the stairs. She resisted him kicking and screaming, “I’m Scared! I’m Scared! I don’t want to do it because I’m Scared!” The fireman couldn’t get her to go anywhere until he looked her in the eye and said, “That’s okay. Do it Scared. Do it Scared. It is okay to be Scared. Just Do It Scared.”
He repeated this to her all the way down eighty flights to safety. The phrase, “Do it Scared” literally saved her life but also changed her life emotionally. The catchphrase became her mantra, which enabled her to make better choices both large and small.
What is one thing that you have allowed fear to get in your way?
Action is the Cure for Fear.
DO IT SCARED.
Think about what it is that you are avoiding out of fear. It is okay to be afraid. It is not okay to allow that fear get in the way of you hopes and dreams of your living a healthier, happier life.
God Bless
Mike
Mike Thomas is a health coach. He helps busy professionals who struggle with low energy, high stress and chronic pain
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This blog is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to CoachMikeThomas.com.