While knowing that you would be able to handle undesirable negative possibilities is comforting, true empowerment to overcome anxiety comes when you start taking action and confronting those things that you fear. You are a person that must continually grow in order to be happy. You might want to see your anxiety as a wake-up call that growth has stopped, and the time for profound action is now. Let's quickly remind ourselves of why we need to confront fears. Repeat the following thoughts out loud or in your mind with a full realization of their truth.
• I know that good things come with going through my fears.
• I know that the life I passionately desire will be mine by continually
going through any fear.
• I know that my life will probably stay the same if I avoid my fears.
• The anxiety I'm feeling is worse than the discomfort of change. I choose
change.
• Successful people go through fear, failure, and rejection. I do the
same.
• I realize the importance of moving through fears in order to become
the person I want to be.
• Even if I'm worried about anxiety initially getting worse, I still take
action.
The self listening technique (from the audio program) can help you to manage your emotions and begin to overcome anxiety. But don't make the mistake of trying to eliminate your fears completely before confronting them. The deep realization that you can truly handle anything, and the real freedom from anxiety, comes by proving to yourself that you have the capacity to feel fear and go through it. To get out of your rut of stagnation, practice doing what you fear even when you don't feel like it. Don't wait until you feel confident on the inside to take action on the outside. To achieve true confidence, do the things that you don't yet have the confidence to do. Massive inner strength comes by taking action when you're emotionally down. So start to look for opportunities to practice.
The best way to really defeat the discomfort and overcome anxiety is to intentionally confront the underlying fear. For example, if you want to overcome social anxiety, learn to invite and even love that feeling of nervousness and awkwardness that arises while you're interacting. Whenever you notice yourself trying to avoid some person, interaction, or social situation due to anxiety, use that as an opportunity to practice being okay with your sensations.
See each of these challenges as one with yourself. For example, you are not just giving a speech; you are confronting your fear of speaking.. Your focus isn't just on the speech, it is on being okay with the feelings during the speech. Regardless of how it goes, you are successful because you got up and felt those sensations. And give positive feedback to yourself while facing fears. You are doing something very important and very difficult. So compliment yourself frequently. Even "failure" is actually success in your battle to overcome anxiety.
Repeat the following affirmations while feeling a realization that they are already your own beliefs.
• I see every situation as an opportunity to become a stronger person.
• I see anxiety provoking situations as opportunities to overcome anxiety.
• Whenever I feel anxiety, I take the opportunity to feel and accept the
sensation.
• Whenever I notice myself avoiding something because anxiety, I turn
it into an opportunity to feel ok with and go through anxiety.
• I now face situations with an attitude of emotional confrontation rather
than avoidance.
• I love confronting my fears and look forward to the growth opportunities.
• As I overcome obstacles, I learn that I am self reliant and never have
to worry again.
• My fears have taught me how to have courage when I am afraid.
• I do not wait for complete confidence before confronting fear.
• Complete confidence is created by confronting fear.
• I take action even when I feel anxious or unconfident.
• It is by moving through my fears that I overcome them.
• Even if the worst outcome happens, I will see it as the best growth
opportunity.
The attitudes we've just covered can help greatly with overcoming anxiety caused by "what if" thinking. Know that you'd be able to handle whatever happens, and you won't have to worry about all the negative possibilities so much. Apply these attitudes to fears that are causing anxiety or limiting your personal growth. Of course, we're not talking about rational fears of realistically dangerous situations. Always use good judgment and make exceptions where your physical safety is concerned.
