How to be intentional with your fear projects
I am where I am today because of God and the ability to go through with some of my most scary fear projects. A fear project is a task that you are determined to carry out (whether big or small) regarding something you are scared of. So, for example, if you want to start a business but you are afraid it might fail, you overcome that by forcing yourself to go ahead and register that business, and on your way home talk to a stranger about what you intend to sell.
For some of us, this could freeze our blood if we think of it.
But in reality, nothing happens. Well, except the fact that you realize that the fear isn’t as paralyzing as you thought. And once you take on a small fear project, you’re bound to take on bigger ones.
So, here are a few fear projects that I embarked on to push past the limitations of my fears. I hope they inspire you to do the same.
1. I was scared of putting my face out there, so I started a YouTube channel.
Before then, I filmed two whole videos which I never used. But I eventually edited and put up the third one as my first ever YouTube video. It was initially scary, then it felt awesome. Then scary again. But I enjoyed every bit of the ride, and now I can put my face to any camera with ease.
2. I was afraid of rejection so I decided to sell stuff.
Needless to say how often salesmen get rejected. I would go hostel to hostel in my school and walk up to some of the most snobbish students and show them my wares. And in many cases, the people who patronized my business the most were those I never expected. At that time, I learned one of the most important lessons of sales: never doubt or praise any customer’s purchasing ability until they actually pay you.
3. I applied for a job with little qualifications.
This was another way to battle my fear of rejection. And yes, I did not get the job. But that was the first time I walked into fancy office with revolving doors and a wanton feeling of belonging, and that’s an experience I won’t forget in a while.
4. I spoke to a stranger who had no interest in me.
In most places around the world, it is commonplace for a man to ask for a woman’s number that he doesn’t know, whether in a public or private place, to get to “know her better”. So one day, with a beating chest and a hot neck, I decided to turn the tables. I was in no way attracted to the guy and I did not collect his number, but we did have a decent conversation during the ride. I never saw him afterwards, but I was one conversation better at approaching strangers.
5. I went rock climbing.
I think this is the biggest fear project for which I have come the closest to physical harm or danger, but I don’t regret it. I had always loved the idea of going rock climbing and I was excited that a friend of mine eventually cajoled me into doing it. At some point during the climb, I was panting so hard I had to sit on one of the rocks for a few minutes and just breathe after I had successfully made the biggest jump, the one for which I would have broken my ankle or my shin if I had missed a step.
And no, a fear project does not necessarily have to put you in physical danger. But don’t forget that fear creates the illusion that something bad will happen if you do that thing which you are afraid of. And this is always exaggerated. Yes, a stranger may snub you if you approach them, but you will live beyond that, won’t you? And your new business might fail after a few months, or even years, but you will pick it up and start another one with the experience and other resources you would have gained from the first one.
Bottom line: Identify the fears that are limiting you the most from achieving your personal development goals, create a specific and intentional fear project to break the wall, and then actually go through with it. You’d be surprised how actually doing something you’re scared of can make the fear melt away.
Thanks for reading!
