What to Do When You Feel Anxious

Summary

• When I feel anxious or uncertain, I remind myself that confidence comes from being competent, and competence comes from trying new things.
• If I'm feeling insecure, I need to take action and face whatever scares me instead of avoiding it.
• Fear often stems from not having done something before or not knowing enough about it, so I overcome these fears by taking action.
• There is no magic to overcoming fear; it requires practice by doing what we're afraid of.
• When I'm really scared to do something, I think of a big reward I can give myself after completing the task.
• I only allow myself to receive the reward once I've faced and done the thing that makes me uncomfortable or scared.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing strategies to build confidence by focusing on action. When feeling anxious or uncertain, remind yourself that confidence grows from trying new things. Face your fears head-on instead of avoiding them because fear often comes from not having done something before or lacking knowledge about it. So, tackle these fears by taking small, manageable steps toward doing what scares you.

A good way of doing this is to break down the task that intimidates you into smaller parts. Start with the easiest step, which makes it less overwhelming and builds competence gradually. As you gain competence, confidence will naturally follow.

Another simple strategy is using rewards as motivation. Identify a task that scares you and pair it with a reward you truly value. Promise yourself that you will only get the reward after completing the task. This helps create a positive association with facing your fears and motivates action despite discomfort.

Remember, there’s no magic trick to overcoming fear; it requires consistent practice. Each time you confront something challenging, you’re investing in your capability, which leads to lasting confidence. Start today by pinpointing one thing you're avoiding and plan a small step you can take. Celebrate your progress and keep building on it. This approach is low-cost and high-value, helping both in personal growth and in pushing your business forward.