Which Skills Do You Need To Move Past Your Fear?

I used to avoid doing the things that scared me. Until one day I realised my desire to do those very things I was afraid of was greater than my fear of them. Now I take the trails that are crooked, winding, lonesome and dangerous, because that’s where I know I’ll find the best experiences and the most beautiful views!

Which is why I found myself hanging from a rather flimsy cable that was attached to a mountain side. When I looked down there was nothing but thin air below me. Should the cable not hold, it was going to be a very long drop!

For years I had both furtively and longingly looked at mountains that were not in the hiking, but in the climbing realm. Now I had decided it was time to confront my fear of heights.

I had gradually increased the difficulty of my hikes and was now able to hike steep trails without any difficulties. I still found descending very steep, narrow trails challenging, but never to the point where fear got the better of me. The more I hiked similar trails, the easier it got.

Via Ferrata | © Gerdi Verwoert 2015

Now I was ready to summit mountains that were too difficult to hike. Mountains that could be climbed over via ferrata. (A protected climbing route along which runs a steel cable that is periodically fixed to the rock. Climbers can secure themselves to the cable, limiting any fall.)

Hanging in my climbing harness and looking down, I felt ‘happy scared’! (More on this in the post ’Do You Ever Feel Happy Scared In Your Life?’) I was definitely nervous about hanging over an abyss. At the same time though I was excited. I knew I was totally up to the challenge of getting to the top!

Even with a (small) knot of fear in my stomach, I was loving the via ferrata adventure I had embarked upon.

Knowing I had mastered the skills needed to move past my fear and do something new and challenging was exhilarating!!

Mastering the skills you need to move past your fear and achieve your goals can be applied to many areas in life.

If your fear is keeping you from what you really want to do, start taking action. Find out what skills you need and start acquiring them!

You’ll find that the better you get at them the smaller your fear gets. Until you come to the point where your fear is mixed with excitement. When the balance tips towards excitement, you’ll know you are ready to step past the fear and walk towards your goal!

Knowing that you have the ability to conquer your fears, you are well equipped for whatever crooked, winding, lonesom, dangerous life and career trails lay ahead of you.

Step off that boring straight road and find out what amazing views are ahead on your winding trail!

And may your mountains rise into and above the clouds!!

Share your thoughts below and let me know what you think. Be as specific as you can when you share your thoughts. Other people, Trailblazers like you, will be inspired by your ideas and actions.

Thank you for reading and adding your voice to the conversation.

As always…

Go dare greatly!