Fear at 40
Why did I wait until I was 40 to face my fear of speaking?
I can name reasons, but here’s the truth… I was afraid to face my fear.
Even though I had my Phd. in Psychology and was helping people with their fears I was able to avoid my own inner terror.
I kept on giving myself excuses…
“I’m too busy… My work needs all my energy… I’m too ashamed to admit that I’m afraid… I can always avoid speaking in public by making other plans.”
The real reason was that I didn’t believe it was possible. How could a sensitive introvert like me stand up and expose myself to other people and their judgments?
The thought of all those eyes looking at me was frightening! I did not want to wrestle with the public-speaking-fear demon inside me.
How could I step into sensations that overwhelmed me and at times left me helpless and out of control?
How could I tolerate the intolerable?
How could I face such extreme anxiety?
Stepping Through My Fear
I knew deep down that I had to find a way to step toward and through my fear. I knew that until I looked my fear in the eye, I would not be free to be myself.
But, what do you know, I continued to come up with excuse after excuse… avoiding facing my fear.
Until one day I was FORCED to confront it when I was invited to speak at a conference on psychology. I admitted to the organizer that I was too fearful of public speaking.
He said: “But Dr. Downing, isn’t fear your business?!!”
At that moment, I was exposed. I had to admit my fear to the organizer.
I realized then that I was finally ready. I was ready to do what it takes to overcome the anxiety.
Transforming My Fear
Now, I could tell you all the things that I did to confront my anxiety… and overcome it… but those things weren’t the reason I overcame my fear.
It was the decision to face my fear that led me to overcome it.
The only way to transform my fear was to commit to learning everything I could about it.
And I not only learned about what it was, but I learned to help other people who suffer from the same fear of being seen.
If you sign up for an Anxiety Breakthrough call with me, I can show you how to gently turn toward what is so scary for you.
In this call, we will make a plan to guide you through your anxiety… so you can finally express yourself without being choked by doubt, insecurity, and fear.
Click here to sign up for your free Anxiety Breakthrough call with me.