On the other side of fears lie opportunities

Being afraid to do certain things is a human tendency but overcoming those fears helps you discover the things that await you.

The ability to recognise your fears, assess the causes and deciding how to proceed can become a bridge between you and success.

Fear might not be the only reason, but it is one of the major reasons why many people miss out on great opportunities. Two of the most common phobias are fear of flying and public speaking. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett was terrified of public speaking. He got so nervous that he would choose classes where he wouldn’t have to get up and speak in front of people. “I would throw up before giving a speech,” he said.

He then enrolled in a public speaking course and gave up even before the classes began. But he tried again and enrolled himself in a Dale Carnegie course. Buffett conquered his fear. Had he not recognised his fear and tried to overcome it, he wouldn’t have been able to deliver the speeches that inspired so many. Recognising and overcoming fears may not be as easy as it sounds. It is equally important to recognise the fine line between risks and fears. Fear needs to be faced while risks are taken in order to achieve something or move forward.

In the beginning, it is more important to start than it is to succeed. It is when we start that we recognise how far we need to improve ourselves in order to overcome our fears and look out for opportunities to grow in life.