What is it that paralyzes you?
What fear makes your heart race and your hands tremble, leaving you frozen in place?
We all have something that terrifies us, something that seems to tower over our lives like an insurmountable obstacle.
My Personal Fear
I’ve been there.
For me, public speaking has always been a chilling landscape, a place where my confidence disappears and my anxiety takes control.
Hand me a keyboard and an empty room, and I could write for hours, completely at ease with the flow of words and ideas.
But place me on a podium, facing a crowd of expectant faces, and suddenly, that ease evaporates.
I’m no longer the confident writer; I’m a bundle of nerves.
My mouth dries up, my stomach churns, and my palms turn clammy with sweat.
It’s as if every ounce of confidence drains away, leaving me vulnerable and exposed to a fear that feels overpowering.
Pushing Through
Yet, despite how overwhelming this fear can be, I know it’s crucial to confront it.
We all have fears that gnaw at us, irrational as they may be, and they can hold us back if we let them.
In my journey, I’ve had to push through this fear of public speaking time and time again.
I’ve taught classrooms full of students, performed in bands in front of live audiences, and even ventured into the world of podcasts and videos.
Each of these experiences should have chipped away at my fear, but that old terror still rears its head.
Yet every time it does, I force myself to face it head-on, because deep down, I know I have to.
It’s not about eliminating the fear altogether—it’s about learning to manage it, to continue moving forward despite it.
Each time I push through, I grow stronger, more resilient, and more capable of facing the next challenge.
The Lying Brain
Here’s the tricky part: our minds can be our own worst enemies.
They have a way of deceiving us, of convincing us that the things we fear are far more dangerous than they really are.
Public speaking is a prime example of this mental treachery.
In reality, standing up in front of a crowd poses no physical threat, yet our brains trick us into thinking it’s a life-or-death situation.
This is where we need to outsmart our own minds.
By recognizing that these fears are rooted in irrational thinking, we can begin to dismantle their power over us.
We can remind ourselves that the fear we feel is just a mirage, a product of our imagination rather than a reflection of reality.
The challenge lies not in avoiding fear but in acknowledging it, understanding its source, and pushing through it anyway.
It’s about reclaiming control from a brain that sometimes lies to us and proving that we are stronger than our fears.
Lessons for the Fearful Author
If you’re an author who feels intimidated by the thought of publishing your work, networking with other writers, or even just sharing your creative efforts with friends, know that you’re not alone.
Many authors experience these fears, but it’s important to remember that fear doesn’t have to hold you back.
Here are some key lessons to help you overcome these obstacles and take your writing journey to the next level.
1. Acknowledge Your Fear
The first step toward overcoming any fear is to acknowledge it.
It’s perfectly normal to feel afraid, especially when you’re putting something as personal as your writing out into the world.
Recognizing your fear is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of self-awareness.
By admitting that you’re scared, you’re already taking the first step toward conquering that fear.
2. Test the Waters
Before diving into the deep end, it’s often helpful to test the waters.
Start by sharing your work with a small, trusted group of friends, fellow writers, or even an online community.
This smaller, more supportive audience can provide you with valuable feedback and encouragement.
Use their insights as tools for improvement, not as a judgment on your worth as a writer.
The goal here is to gain confidence and experience in sharing your work, making it easier to approach larger audiences when the time comes.
3. Rationalise the Fear
Fear often thrives on irrational thoughts.
One way to combat this is by asking yourself: What’s the worst that can happen?
Most of the time, the worst-case scenario isn’t nearly as devastating as your mind makes it out to be.
Sure, someone might not like your work, but that’s part of the creative process.
Criticism doesn’t diminish your value as a writer—it’s an opportunity to grow.
By rationalizing your fear, you can strip away its power and approach your writing career with a clearer, more balanced perspective.
4. Take Incremental Steps
You don’t have to go from writing in complete solitude to hosting a major book launch overnight.
Instead, take incremental steps toward your goals.
Start small by creating a blog where you can share your thoughts and snippets of your work.
Or, try posting a short piece on social media to gauge interest and get used to public feedback.
Each small step will build your confidence, making the idea of larger, more daunting tasks less intimidating over time.
Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and there’s no rush to reach the finish line.
5. Celebrate the Wins, No Matter How Small
Every time you push through a barrier, no matter how small, it’s important to celebrate that achievement.
Did you finally share a chapter with a friend?
Did you post your first blog entry or receive your first piece of constructive criticism?
These are all wins worth celebrating.
Acknowledging and celebrating these victories reinforces your progress and boosts your confidence, making the next hurdle easier to overcome.
Over time, these small successes accumulate, helping you to build the resilience and self-assurance needed to tackle even bigger challenges.
Face Your Fear
At the end of the day, the only way to truly overcome your fear is to face it head-on.
It’s easy to let fear become an insurmountable barrier, but remember, the only thing standing between you and getting your book into the hands of readers who would love it is you.
Your fear may seem powerful, but it doesn’t have to control your actions.
By taking these steps and pushing forward despite your apprehensions, you’ll find that the journey becomes less daunting and more rewarding.
So, what fear will you face today, and how will you take that first step toward overcoming it?
CherryEdits 