What Activity Are You Still Working Up The Courage To Try?

Photographed by José A. Warletta

Can you relate to any of these popular activities that many want to do but are too afraid?

• Sing in front of others
• Ask someone out on a date
• Get a tattoo
• Ride a roller coaster
• Change jobs
• Have a baby
• Finish a college degree
• Ask for help

I can relate to a few. But the activity that most terrifies me is public speaking.

Anything to do with being in front of people is hard for me. But I want to overcome that fear. Lately I have been thinking about joining a friend’s acting group on Tuesday nights. I have had “Enrol in Toastmasters” on my unofficial to-do list for decades. I think that being part of either group would help me master my public speaking fear.

I want to overcome the fear because every once in a while I do public speaking for work. It is always hard for me. But I don’t want it to be.

When I watch someone who is so nervous up front, I get nervous for them. Honestly it kinda ruins my experience (as someone in the audience). It takes my attention off what I hope to gain from the speaker and puts it onto the nervous speaker. I get agitated with and for the speaker.

I don’t want to ruin the experience for others. As a speaker I do want to take the attention off me and put it onto the audience so that they can learn, feel, and grasp the good and godly that I am trying to portray.

“Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears,”  Arthur Koestler.

I am not there yet, but I think that in 2014, I WILL take the leap and go to at least one of Pam’s Tuesday night classes. Who knows where that will lead? Less nervousness, I hope.

Your Turn . . . 

1. What is the activity you want to try but are too afraid to do? Are you going to tackle your fear in 2014? If yes, how?
2. How does public speaking rate on your list of fearful activities?
3. Do you have any advice for me?

Related Posts . . . 

1. 66 Ways to Build Your Courage by Christine Kane
2. How Does God Fit in with Goal Setting? by Fruitfulwords
3. I Can Do Hard Things by Fruitfulwords

January’s “Out of My Comfort Zone and Loving it”

Fear has kept me in its grip for too long. No, more! My motto for 2011 is “Out of my comfort zone and loving it.” For an explanation of what this monthly post is about, click on this link. Below is January’s list of OMCZ.

Attended vision party. This actually happened in December 2011, but I attended because of the motto I would be embracing in 2011. I attended this by myself and besides Barb, one of the event organizers, I did not know anyone. I am so glad I didn’t let my fear of not knowing anyone and fear of making an “art project” in public keep me home. Since I am a highly visual processor, the vision board that I made has been helpful in keeping my 2011 goals in mind. I look forward to attending other events that Barb Wilber organizes. Yes, even if I have to go by myself.

Gave my first sermon in church. I knew that my material wasn’t heretical since Pastor Mike looked it over. I knew that it had a good flow because my preaching class colleagues critiqued it. I was fearful because of having to deliver this in front of people! I was afraid I’d stutter. I was afraid I’d sound so nervous that folks would concentrate on me instead of the message. Know what? I didn’t throw up, stutter, or ruin the experience for others. I felt God’s presence and I did okay. In fact, I am semi-looking forward to the next time. (In time I know I will love it!)

Huge undertaking at work. I have taken on more responsibilities in children’s ministry. This is out of the comfort zone for someone who likes to be an independent worker and do it all myself! In truth, to do the job well, I need God’s help and people’s help. It has been amazing how many folks have come alongside as volunteers. It has been amazing to see God’s hand in all the details coming together!

New way of eating. I am on the anti-inflammation diet (for most days). I avoid eating processed foods and too many carbohydrates. I’ve added more vegetables, lean meats, and soups to my diet. While this new way of eating doesn’t make me fearful, it is out of my comfort zone. I have to be intentional about out what I eat by having a food plan and by having the food available. I can no longer rely on cereal or granola bars. I need to find new comfort foods (no more tapioca pudding or sweets).  I have to put effort into making healthy food and cooking new types of recipes just for me. (Making healthy food wasn’t a struggle when I had a family to cook for.)

Your Turn . . .

1. What have you done in January that was out of your comfort zone?
2. How did you let fear make a decision for you?
3. What fear-busting activity do you hope to do in February?
4. What do you hope to learn by doing this activity?

I’m Not Letting Fear Make Decisions For Me

“Do not fear” is used in the Bible many times (between 62 and 365 times depending upon whom you cite). God, angels, and men said those words to many people in many types of situations. People were fearful and needed reassurance that they could handle the situation. And even today people need the same type of reassurance.

I, too, have many fears. I fear heights, public speaking, horror films, getting in over my head, and talking to strangers. Too many times I’ve let “fear make my decisions for me.” I haven’t relied upon God to give me His strength, wisdom, peace, and empowering to do the things He’s asked me to do.

Oft times I haven’t relied upon my own abilities. This is mainly because of three reasons. (1) I’ve seen where I’ve failed. (I’m a procrastinator.)  (2) I’ve seen where I didn’t do such a great job. (I’m a perfectionist.) (3) And I’ve seen people do unpredictable things. (I want to control them and the situation.)

Well, no longer! My motto for this year is “Out of my comfort zone and loving it.” Each month I will list what I’ve done that is outside my comfort zone. Some of these things won’t be actual “fears,” but things that I’ve been reluctant to do because … well … it is something new, something out of my comfort zone.

I am striving to do more than move past my fears, I want to enjoy the process. I want to know the reason why I can do these things.  I will share January’s list of “Out of my comfort zone and loving it” on Saturday. Normally I will share last month’s list on the first day of the new month.