11 Personal Tips for Overcoming Fear Based On Real Experience

Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Overcoming Fears; Development

Overcoming fear is a universal challenge, so we’ve gathered valuable insights from motivational speakers, CEOs, and other professionals.

Identify and Address Technical Fears
When I am feeling fear about something, like when I first started my business, I ask myself, ‘Why do I fear this?’ For example, when I started six years ago, I felt fear because I didn’t know how to run a website on WordPress, or just in general. So that told me I needed to find a platform that has dedicated support for the technical side of things. Even though I come from a very technical background, running a website was a different experience than what I was used to. Taking that pressure off of me, trying to figure the technical things out, is a load off my shoulders. Now I can focus on content creation and providing motivational speaking services to the world!
- Jimmy Clare, Motivational Speaker, Autism Advocate, and Founder, CrazyFitnessGuy

Use Gradual Exposure to Reduce Fear
One strategy I’ve found effective is to gradually expose yourself to the thing you’re afraid of, in small, manageable steps. This method, known as exposure therapy, allows you to face your fears in a controlled, deliberate way, gradually reducing the fear’s power over you. For instance, if you’re afraid of public speaking, you might start by speaking to yourself in the mirror, then progress to speaking in front of a small, supportive group of friends or family, and gradually increase the audience size as your confidence grows. This approach helps build resilience and self-confidence by making your initial fear more manageable and less intimidating over time. - Bayu Prihandito, Founder, Psychology Consultant, and Life Coach for Men, Life Architekture

View Fear as an Informative Advisor
The most helpful tip I’ve learned is to view fear as an adviser, not an inhibitor. Fear alerts us to threats, but it doesn’t need to paralyze us. When you feel afraid, get curious about the root causes behind the emotion. Analyze the fear rationally — is it founded, or is your mind exaggerating unlikely outcomes? Knowledge is power, so research to gain perspective. Once you identify any valid concerns, make a plan to manage them. And remember that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but moving forward even when afraid. Dig into why you feel scared, get the facts, make a plan, and take action. You can acknowledge fear without letting it control you. With practice, you’ll build confidence in your ability to navigate uncertainty. And soon, fear will become far less intimidating. It will transform from a barrier into an advisor that guides you wisely.
- Alex Adekola, CEO and Founder, Remove My Mugshot

Envision Inaction and Plan Steps
You first have to think about what will happen if you don’t take action. Inaction could be the difference between increasing your salary, landing your dream job, meeting the love of your life, or finding a new passion. Now that you have envisioned what inaction looks like, you have to create a plan. Once you identify the fear, you can now break the fear down and create a plan of action with measurable steps to achieve new milestones. - Ashley Yearby, Founder, Secure the Bags

Show Kindness as Fear Disarmament
When you run into situations that scare you, it’s easy to put up your armor. But that can make you come off as unapproachable. Instead, I show kindness when going into a difficult business deal or conversation. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome, I know that I put my best foot forward. I didn’t let fear control the situation. - Larry Cone, Founder and CEO, Kitepipe

Find Engaging Distractions from Fear
I love to travel and have flown all over the world. However, like a lot of other travelers, flying makes me nervous, specifically the take-off. Sometimes, it feels like the only thing getting the plane off the ground is the collective will of all the other passengers, and that’s terrifying. To overcome that fear, I use a good distraction. I need to really engage my brain, so watching a film won’t always cut it. Instead, I pull out a well-loved book. While reading, I focus hard and imagine reading every word aloud to someone else. I trace the text with my finger and think about how I would describe each scene to a friend. This technique helps me block out any scary noises and ignore the bumpy sensation when a plane leaves the ground, which makes me so fearful.
The distraction technique works for other things that make me nervous. Waiting for a job interview? I talk to the office receptionist. Riding a horse that’s acting fresh? I sing to him. You forget the fear once you find the right distraction that hooks your brain. - Rebecca Webber, Head of Content, World Stats and Facts

Seek Support and Break Down Challenges
Drawing from my experience as an HR consultant, a key tip for overcoming fear is to embrace vulnerability and seek support from others. When faced with daunting challenges in client servicing, my initial response is to step back and assess the situation, considering various approaches to tackle it effectively. Breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable tasks helps to gain clarity and navigate the path forward. Subsequently, I connect with colleagues or mentors who have encountered similar obstacles, seeking their valuable insights and alternative perspectives. It’s crucial to understand that reaching out for assistance is not a sign of weakness but a strategic approach to overcoming fear. By leveraging diverse perspectives and support networks, I am better equipped to tackle the challenges with clarity, confidence, and a sense of empowerment, leading to successfully facing fears. - Dhruva Somani, Associate Consultant, NamanHR

Combine Self-Reflection with Knowledge
Overcoming fear for me involves a two-fold strategy. First, engage in self-reflection by asking about the consequences of inaction — pondering what might happen if you let fear dictate your choices. This introspective approach prompts a realistic assessment of the impact on personal growth and goal achievement. Simultaneously, recognize the power of knowledge as a formidable tool against fear. When fear is linked to the unknown, gather information and educate yourself about the situation or task at hand. This process demystifies fear, providing clarity and a sense of control. By combining self-reflection with a commitment to learning, you empower yourself to face challenges with resilience, turning fear into an opportunity for growth and informed decision-making. - Hanna Borysenko, HR Director, Elai Inc.

Challenge Negative Thoughts with Actionable Plans
As a business founder, there have been many times when I was scared of the unknown, and there continue to be some uncertain days. When you can’t predict anything, it’s difficult to come out of the negative mindset associated with being fearful.
The best way that I have found to be helpful with this is to challenge those negative thoughts and fears. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, concentrate on what you can control and the positive outcomes you want to achieve. To make this more of a habit, it helps to write down the fear and then include what you can and can’t control about it. With this information, you can then make an actionable plan, which might mean creating new goals to help minimize this fear, and it also just helps you to rationalize your fears, making it easier to overcome them. - Thanh Dang, Influencer and Founder, Food Senpai

Boost Confidence Through Deep Understanding
Overcoming fear is such a big part of growing personally and professionally. I realized that being prepared and really understanding things was key to facing my fears. When I took the leap to start my own business, I already had a good base of knowledge and experience as an aesthetic nurse. This deep understanding of my field really boosted my confidence and made me feel ready. - Diane Howard, RN and Founder, Esthetic Finesse

Accept Fear and Embrace Growth Opportunities
One of my tips for overcoming fear is to accept it instead of attempting to prevent it. Recognize that fear is a typical human emotion and often signifies potential areas for growth and opportunity. Confront fear by venturing beyond your comfort zone and engaging in small, calculated risks, rather than allowing it to inhibit your progress. Break your apprehensions into manageable components and motivate yourself to confront them directly. Moreover, cultivate an awareness of the present moment by employing mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and visualization, which serve to tranquilize the mind. Form a support system comprising family, friends, or mentors who can offer advice and motivation throughout the process. By recognizing and confronting your anxieties, you can ultimately develop the fortitude and self-assurance necessary to pursue your aspirations and ambitions with increased resolve.
- Anam Barkan, Travel Enthusiast, Director Marketing and Founder, Zoyago