Since the publication of my new book, The Seasons of Your Career, I've been speaking to many individuals as I travel on my book tour. One thing I've noticed that is fairly common among my audiences is a hesitation to go after a career or personal dream, due to fear or a lack of confidence.

Taming feelings of fear can be challenging, especially because they can seem overwhelming at times. Maybe you feel fearful more often than you'd prefer, and aren't sure how to make those thoughts of gloom and doom go away.

Remember that everyone has to face fear in his or her life. Some people are fearful often, while others have learned to keep those thoughts of apprehension at bay through mental discipline. If you are one of the many individuals dealing with thoughts that are keeping you from going after your own cherished dreams, you may want to follow these tips.

Focus on the Bright Side

Just as there are two sides to every coin, so are there two ways of looking at the world. When you catch yourself with a thought that something awful may happen if you go after your dream, gently ease it out of your mind by replacing it with a positive statement instead. Rather than saying, "If I change jobs, I might fail," say to yourself, "I'm open to new opportunities in my career. I'm successful in whatever I do."

It isn't mumbo-jumbo to change your negative beliefs. Focusing on the positive and optimistic side of life actually will result in an increased ability to create, and take advantage of, new opportunities.

Follow Your Heart's Message

Your deepest feelings are clues to the next road you may need to take on your way to personal and professional success. By listening to your heart (instead of just taking the advice of friends and relatives), you can begin the process of making your goals happen. Other people often are more than happy to tell you what you should be doing, but they may not have the best suggestions for your situation. Pay attention to your own feelings and you'll have the finest guidance you could ask for.

Do Your Homework

Having said the above, it's up to you to do the research on how to make your objectives a reality. Blindly going after a goal is not the best approach for success. The fear factor tends to evaporate when an individual has complete information at his fingertips, so along with trusting your own gut feelings, use your common sense and find out the methods you can use to achieve your goals. A combination of a practical and intuitive approach to reaching your dreams generally will offer the best chance for success.

So there you have it-some effective tips to manage those pesky thoughts of doubt and fear. Don't give fear the power to prevent you from achieving your life's goals! By staying on top of your own thoughts, you can pave the way for career and personal fulfillment that lasts a lifetime.

© Kathy Sanborn
Life Channels Staff Writer
All Rights Reserved

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