Crushing Your Fears: Harnessing the Power of a Growth Mindset
Article Summary
We all encounter fear from time to time. It is simply part of being human. But today I am here to give you some ideas on overcoming fear or as the title states Crush That Fear! These ideas come from research after studying Napoleon HIll's work in Think and Grow Rich and one of my absolute favorites Outwitting the Devil. We will also discuss some of Neville Goddard's work on fear as well.
If you found this article helpful feel free to share it using the simple share buttons to the side or below on your smartphone.
Let’s get into the article.
Fear is Common
Fear is something that happens to all of us. But when we know where that fear is coming from and what emotion is evoked because of it we can transmute that fear into faith. This is something I talk about often. When you overcome fear you find your power.
Fear of public speaking is probably the most common fear. To transmute that it takes practice, action, and facing that fear head-on in spite of it trying to hold us back. To me, fear is just the devil trying to keep us from accomplishing our dreams. The first step is confronting that fear with a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.
Simply having a fear of failure can hold you back. This fear can cause a cascade of negative experiences. And I don't want that for you. I gained valuable insight from the book Outwitting the Devil on fear. Those negative outcomes of fear can be transformed into big changes in your life. Before you know it that fear will be in your rearview mirror.
Outwitting the Devil
Napoleon Hill had a conversation with the devil in the book Outwitting the Devil which is one of my absolute favorite books. In fact, it is in the top 3.
The entire book is about how the devil uses fear to hold us back. The first time I listened to this book it made so much sense to me. I listen to it on Audible because the devil's voice is so authentic. I cannot suggest this book enough!
Here is the premise of Napoleon Hill’s conversation with the devil in Outwitting the Devil
"One of my cleverest devices for mind control is fear. I plant the seed of fear in the minds of people, and as these seeds germinate and grow, through use, I control the space they occupy. The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death.”
Those 6 fears are what we are going to discuss today in detail!
It is important to note that Napoleon Hill is having a conversation with himself. But I can tell you that conversation is powerful!! There are many things we can do to release fear. Remind yourself that we are only human beings having life experiences. It is helpful that you do not shame yourself for your fears of failure. It is simply a learning experience.
Emotions
Fear is controlled by our emotions and our past experiences. It is embedded in our subconscious mind. It is also reactivity. Reactivity is negative emotions and is a reaction to the fear of the unknown.
And as I said a few episodes ago reactivity is simply the ego having a temper tantrum. So how do we quiet that temper tantrum? The first thing we want to do is identify and discuss the 6 basic fears that Napoleon Hill taught us.
Watch the video here
Listen to the episode here
Continue reading….
Fear of Poverty
The fear of poverty is a common fear that can have a profound impact on one's life. This fear can manifest as a fear of not having enough money to meet basic needs, such as food and shelter, or as a fear of not being able to provide for oneself or one's family.
It can also lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety, as well as negative thoughts and behaviors, such as hoarding money or not taking calculated risks in one's career or business.
To overcome the fear of poverty, it's important to adopt a positive and proactive mindset. Easier said than done but as I always say action breaks fear. But the good news is there are many different ways to do this.
Try to focus on creating financial stability and security. This can involve: setting financial goals, developing a budget, and investing in education and skills that can increase earning potential.
It is always important to cultivate a sense of gratitude and to focus on the things in life that bring joy and fulfillment, rather than just material wealth.
Here is what Outwitting the Devil says about fear of poverty
"I have countless ways of gaining control of human minds while they are still on the earth plane. My greatest weapon is poverty. I deliberately discourage people from accumulating material wealth because poverty discourages men from thinking and makes them easy prey for me.
I teach people to become drifters by causing them to drift out of school into the first job they can find, with no definite aim or purpose except to make a living. Through this trick, I keep millions of people in fear of poverty all their lives.
Fear of poverty is a state of mind, nothing else! But it is sufficient to destroy one's chances of achievement in any undertaking, a truth which became painfully evident during the depression.
This fear paralyzes the faculty of reason, destroys the faculty of imagination, kills off self-reliance, undermines enthusiasm, discourages initiative, leads to uncertainty of purpose, encourages procrastination, wipes out enthusiasm and makes self-control an impossibility."
Fear of criticism:
The fear of criticism is a common fear that can hold individuals back in many areas of their lives, such as relationships, careers, and personal growth.
This fear can stem from a deep-seated fear of being judged or rejected by others and can cause individuals to avoid taking risks or speaking their minds. It can also lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and self-doubt, as well as negative thoughts and behaviors, such as constantly seeking approval from others. These fears can be unconscious and this is where our subconscious programming can come into play.
To overcome the fear of criticism, it's important to develop a strong sense of self-worth and to focus on personal growth and development. Again I know this is easier said than done. But many times this can involve seeking out constructive feedback, learning to accept criticism as a part of growth, and focusing on one's own goals and desires rather than the opinions of others.
Additionally, it's important to cultivate a positive mindset and to surround oneself with supportive and encouraging people who will help build confidence and resilience.
Symptoms of fear of criticism:
SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS. Generally expressed through nervousness, timidity in conversation and in meeting strangers, awkward movement of the hands and limbs, and shifting of the eyes.
LACK OF POISE. Expressed through a lack of voice control, nervousness in the presence of others, poor posture of the body, and poor memory.
EXTRAVAGANCE. The habit of trying to "keep up with the Joneses," spending beyond one's income.
Outwitting the Devil on criticism:
"My second-best trick is not second at all. It is the first! It is first because without it I never could gain control of the minds of the youths. Parents, schoolteachers, religious instructors, and many other adults unknowingly serve my purpose by helping me to destroy in children the habit of thinking for themselves.
They go about their work in various ways, never suspecting what they are doing to the minds of children or the real cause of the children's mistakes."
Neville and fear of criticism:
Always think in clarity of form, for as you do, you are influencing others. When I wanted to get out of Barbados, I didn't think of influencing anyone. I simply used clarity of form and walked up the gangplank in my imagination.
That act caused someone five thousand miles away to cancel their passage. And although there were hundreds ahead of me waiting for passage, the one who had the power to distribute the tickets chose us, so I did influence others. I imagined, and we came back, while thousands who preceded us in applying for passage continued to wait their turn.
Fear of ill-health
The fear of poor health can be a significant source of anxiety and stress for many individuals. This fear can stem from a concern about the physical and emotional consequences of poor health, such as chronic pain, disability, or a reduced quality of life. It can also lead to feelings of worry, helplessness, and sadness, as well as negative thoughts and behaviors, such as neglecting self-care or avoiding medical attention.
To overcome the fear of poor health, it's important to prioritize self-care and focus on maintaining good physical and mental health. This can involve engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, getting adequate sleep, and seeking medical attention when necessary.
Additionally, it's important to cultivate a positive and proactive mindset and to focus on stress management and relaxation techniques, such as meditation or mindfulness. By taking these steps, individuals can increase their resilience and reduce their fear of poor health, and improve their overall well-being.
Outwitting the Devil and fear of poor health
"My next best friend is ill health. An unhealthy body discourages thinking. Then I have countless thousands of workers on earth who aid me in gaining control of human minds. I have these agents placed in every calling. They represent every race and creed, every religion."
Neville: Self-suggestions are the culprit here.
The habit of negative use of self-suggestion by looking for, and expecting to find the symptoms of all kinds of disease.
"Enjoying" imaginary illness and speaking of it as being real. The habit of trying all "fads" and "isms" that are recommended by others as having therapeutic value.
Talking to others about operations, accidents, and other forms of illness. Experimenting with diets, physical exercises, and reducing systems, without professional guidance. Trying home remedies, patent medicines, and "quack" remedies.
HYPOCHONDRIA. The habit of talking of illness, concentrating the mind upon disease, and expecting its appearance until a nervous break occurs. Nothing that comes in bottles can cure this condition. It is brought on by negative thinking and nothing but positive thoughts can affect a cure. Hypochondria, (a medical term for imaginary disease) is said to do as much damage on occasion, as the disease one fears might do. Most so-called cases of "nerves" and major panic attacks come from imaginary illnesses.
EXERCISE. Fear of ill health often interferes with proper physical exercise and results in being overweight, causing one to avoid outdoor life and regular exercise and movement.
Loss of love
The fear of the loss of a loved one is a fear that can affect individuals deeply and can cause significant emotional distress. This fear can stem from a concern about losing a close friend, partner, or family member, and can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and helplessness. It can also result in negative thoughts and behaviors, such as withdrawing from others or avoiding activities and experiences that bring joy and fulfillment.
To overcome the fear of the loss of a loved one, it's important to focus on cultivating a strong sense of connection and appreciation for the people in one's life. This can involve spending quality time with loved ones, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, and focusing on creating positive memories and experiences which lead to positive emotions.
Also, it's important to have a support system of friends and family who can provide emotional support during difficult times. By taking these steps, it can be one of the best ways to reduce their fear of loss, and increase their sense of happiness, security, and well-being.
Outwitting the Devil and loss of love:
"I cause men and women to drift into marriage without a plan or purpose designed to convert the relationship into harmony. Here is one of my most effective methods of converting people into the habit of drifting. I cause married people to bicker and nag one another over money matters.
I cause them to quarrel over the bringing up of their children.
I engage them in unpleasant controversies over their intimate relationships and in disagreements over friends and social activities. I keep them so busy finding fault with one another that they never have time to do anything else long enough to break the habit of drifting."
Symptoms of loss of love:
JEALOUSY. The habit of being suspicious of friends and loved ones without any reasonable evidence of sufficient grounds. The habit of accusing a wife or husband of infidelity without grounds. General suspicion of everyone, absolute faith in no one.
FAULT FINDING. The habit of finding fault with friends, relatives, business associates, and loved ones upon the slightest provocation, or without any cause whatsoever.
Neville taught:
When you enter the state you desire to express and believe it is true, no earthly power can stop it from objectifying itself.
And although you do not deliberately influence others, you influence everyone. As Sir James Frazer said: "A man on this planet cannot raise a hand without influencing the farthest star in the heavens in its unified form."
Fear of old age:
The fear of old age is one of those common fears that can stem from concerns about physical and mental decline, as well as social and financial insecurity. I am as old as the Super Bowl and dang proud of it. I did an episode on reversing aging through mindset and exercise. You can read that here.
Fear of old age can lead to unwanted feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and sadness, as well as negative thoughts and behaviors, such as avoiding activities and experiences that bring joy and fulfillment. Don't let that be you!
To overcome the fear of old age, try cultivating a positive and proactive mindset and prioritizing self-care and personal growth. This can involve engaging in physical activity and exercise, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, and continuing to learn and grow in new and interesting ways.
Again it is important to have a strong support system of friends and family and to focus on creating a sense of purpose and meaning in one's life. Every human needs this!
By taking these steps, individuals can reduce their fear of old age, and increase their sense of well-being, security, and happiness as they age.
Habits and underlying beliefs around the fear of old age:
The habit of speaking apologetically of one's self as "being old" merely because one has reached the age of forty, or fifty, instead of reversing the rule and expressing gratitude for having reached the age of wisdom and understanding.
The habit of killing off initiative, not trying new things, and suppressing imagination, and self-reliance by falsely believing one's self is too old to exercise these qualities could be the real reason why one is fearing old age.
Fear of death:
The fear of death is a fear that affects individuals of all ages and cultures. This fear can stem from a concern about the unknown, as well as a fear of leaving loved ones behind.
It can lead to negative feelings that last a long time. Fear of death causes one to picture the worst-case scenario. They look at difficult situations with fearful feelings.
To overcome the fear of death, it's important to focus on cultivating a positive and proactive mindset. And it helps to seek out experiences and activities that bring meaning and purpose to life. This can involve pursuing hobbies and interests, connecting with others through relationships and community involvement, and focusing on making a positive impact in the world. Talk about a more positive outcome than the fear of death!
It’s important to have a strong support system of friends and family and to find ways to cope with difficult emotions and thoughts related to death. By taking these steps, individuals can reduce their fear of death and increase their sense of well-being, security, and happiness.
Habits around the fear of death:
The habit of THINKING about dying instead of making the most of LIFE, due, generally, to lack of purpose, or lack of a suitable occupation
This fear is more prevalent among the aged, but sometimes the more youthful are victims of it. The greatest of all remedies for the fear of death is a BURNING DESIRE FOR ACHIEVEMENT, backed by useful service to others. A busy person seldom has time to think about dying. He finds life too thrilling to worry about death.
The habit of THINKING about dying instead of making the most of LIFE, due, generally, to lack of purpose, or lack of a suitable occupation.
In conclusion
Fear is something we all face as human beings. Try authentic positive thinking to overcome the emotional symptoms of fear in everyday life. Remember you are not alone in the fear department. We all face dangerous situations with fear. That is a mechanism built in us to protect us.
Thank you for spending part of your day with me. I trust that you found this helpful. If you know someone who can benefit from this please share it with them using the simple share buttons to the side or below on your smartphone.
But every successful person faces fear on this journey we call life. But I have a spoiler alert for you today. The journey and the destination are one. Try some of these simple exercises we discussed today. Let me know how they work for you. Before long that fear of success will turn into success. You'll be out of that comfort zone and moving onto more and more control of your life that feels powerful for YOU.
In the spirit of service,
Read more articles here
