I recently heard Polina Marinova on a podcast. She mentioned a tip learned from Chris Austin Hadfield, a former pilot and astronaut.
But here’s the thing: Things aren’t scary. People get scared.”
The example is simple and striking.
We were all scared when we started riding our bikes. We asked our dad to keep grabbing the handlebars for fear of falling. Until one day, with practice, it became normal. It’s even hard to remember that we were afraid.
Has the bike changed? Of course not.
What has changed is you.
And Chris’ message is clear:
Competence breeds confidence.”
The more you do, the less you are afraid.
And this is true in all aspects of our lives:
- Talking to someone you don’t know
- Signing up for your first art class
- Presenting your topic at an important meeting
We are afraid of many things, and it’s normal.
It’s our body’s physiological response. Instead of denying it “not even afraid,” acknowledge and welcome it. Don’t let it paralyze you but work with it. It’s a friend who wants to do you good.
3 steps to turn your fear into a new skill
1.Analyze it.
Don’t let it bother you or go away without doing anything. Write it down in your journal.
- What do I fear?
- Why?
- What’s the worst that could happen to me?
I signed up for this famous drawing class and the teacher told me I couldn’t continue because I didn’t have the level.
Ok? I have to find another class that is more suitable for my level.
2.What is the next action?
Search the internet for art classes around you and email the first five courses. Put a spot on your calendar to call back 48 hours later if you haven’t heard back.
3.Reflect on it six months later.
Six months later, you have made new friends in this new drawing class. You are comfortable and even have trouble remembering how you felt when you were scared. (Like biking, you’ve just learned a new skill).
Go back to your journal from 6 months ago and reread your emotions at that time.
Conclusion
You have a new ability, but more importantly, a method you can duplicate to acquire new ones.
What is the new fear that you want to turn into a skill?
And remember, we are just passing through. We don’t even know how long we’ll be here. So learn new things as if each day were your last day.
