Feeling the fear

I've just finished reading Feel the Fear and do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. One of the reason I picked up the book is I believe we are so limited by our fears. I know I am anyway; what if she/he doesn't like me - I wont call, what if I look stupid - I wont do that... There are so many reasons not to do something, to remain comfortable and secure in life. To remain dissatisfied - I believe so often we don't try because if we fail we can say oh I didn't really give that my all, thats why I failed but imagine how much more accomplished you will feel if you can say I gave that everything I've got, it didn't work out but, gosh, Im glad I tried and I learnt a lot. So there were a few things I really loved about Susan Jeffers book, one of the concepts I really liked is the no loose model; basically every time you look at a problem or choice instead of thinking of it like if I take option A I will miss out on option b you look at it like I can take option A and get this whole set of experiences, new growth and exciting things happening, if I take option B I'll have a different set of experiences, new growth and exciting things happen. Obviously this is a very simplified version of  the model but it really resounded with me. Sometimes I get so caught up with the what if's - and those what if's are so limiting, and I wonder what I would be capable if I took those what if's out and started instead to embrace my fear of a situation and do it anyway.
Another thing I really enjoyed about the book and have incorporated into my life is the "whole life" grid. So you take your life and break it up into parts - Is your whole life your kids, partner, friends, work? I hope not. But for so many of us it is a combination of just a few things and we don't dedicate enough to other things. So the whole life grid is taking the things in your life you consider important - so this could be; Relationship, work, family, learning, alone time, fitness, leisure time, housework, leisure or whatever it is for you. then you make a little goal to achieve each day. so It might go a bit like this; Relationship - tell partner your grateful for something they do for you. Work - finish proposal by 3pm. Family - call mum. Learning - Do an hour of study... anyway you go through your chart making a goal for everything and the idea is to give equal time to all aspects of your life - so should one fall apart, you have all those other things going on to play with.
There are however so many techniques in the book to help you overcome your fears. I highly recommend it, I think it will be one of those books I go back to time and time again.
Another amazing tool for fears is flower essences. Flower essences work on emotional blockages which can then manifest as a physical symptom. A few of the good ones for fears are; Karo/ Wild Oat - Uncertainty regarding life purpose, life path or career. Haketara/ Aspen - Anxiety, apprehension, foreboding and fear of unknown things. Cook Straight Groundsel/ Larch - Lacks self-confidence, feels inferior, expects failure so doesn't try. Marlbrough Rock Daisy/ Mimulus - Anxiety, apprehension and fear of known things. Hinau/ Cerato - Doubts own ability and judgment, easily influenced or misguided, constantly looks to others for direction, seeks others approval.
Flower essences can be mixed into a blend by a Naturopath or brought and taken individually. I love using flower essences for emotional upsets and have seen profound changes in people for using them.