How to Be Fearless in a Fearful World
Are you finding it a challenge to keep your head up and maintain a positive outlook when the sky seems to be falling all around?
You’re not alone.
The world looks pretty damn shaky at the moment. By all reasonable accounts you should be afraid—at least that’s what the media says. Yet life is a perfect self-fulfilling prophecy. Expect bad things and bad things it will be.
What’s a person to do?
Simple. Either, keep on doing the same thing, letting fear drive you or choose a more empowering response.
Negative thoughts feed fear and weaken you. They make you less resourceful, less confident, less able to cope with current and future challenges; physically, mentally and emotionally.
Positive thoughts—or more accurately positive beliefs—do the desirable opposite. They fuel your strength, boost your confidence, and can make you downright unstoppable in the face of any fear or resistance.
And this isn’t just some positive psych pipe dream. Your thoughts make a very real and powerful impact that you can experience in this very moment.
Complete this five minute experiment and you’ll know just how important they are.
During your next workout set aside two sets of a basic lift—like the biceps curl.
Prior to the first set, sit on a bench and think about all the bad news of the day, the plane crash, the market tumbling, etc… all the things that are weighing you down. There’s plenty to choose from. Let your shoulders droop and your head hang, which they naturally will. Then, with this dark mood about you, grip the dumbbells and do a set of at least 8 reps.
How did that feel?
On the second set we’re going to change your state. This time stand tall, take deep breaths and think about strength, power and victory. Access an image in your mind of a time you kicked ass at something, anything. It may be a memory from sports or any emotional victory that you can really taste. Then go through the FIT cycle of grounding, focusing and elevating, charging breaths. Then grab your dumbbells—the same weight—and do another set.
Different? You bet. You won’t soon forget how powerfully different it truly is.
The first set, the hang-dog, doubt-ridden, fear-saturated one is how many of us are doing life at the moment. Many of us have become so saturated with media messages and justifiable reasons to be afraid that we can’t think straight. We don’t even know just how contracted we are.
The second set stands as evidence for your true strength and freedom. It’s an anchor reminding you that you get to choose how you respond. Want to have confidence, feel strong and resourceful?
Choose it.
The great advantage of practicing this state in your strength training is that the repetition of feeling strong and confident (because you choose) creates a powerful anchor for a self-authored life. It frees you to generate your own confidence and courage in any situation regardless of how the world is telling you to act.
Focusing your thoughts to be the radiant source of energy and light you truly are is more important than ever.
Now is a Time for Strength.
If not you, who? If not now, when?
23. February 2009 at 8:27 am
Hi Shawn,
Thank you for these words of wisdom. The importance of choosing our focus of attention can never be understated. That is the power of the media – it can determine what a person chooses to focus their attention and energy on, and as you pointed out it can lead to a mood that does not serve us or the world… This is not a time for us to contract and withhold our gifts and strength; this is a time to work on ourselves, developing our strength and stepping boldly into the world as the gift that each of us are!
Thank you, Shawn, for your fabulous work. I purchased your book – Strength for Life – last year and completed my first journey through your program with the best results I’ve ever achieved in over 28 years of strength training. An amazing experience!
I stand with you in bringing the message of strength and service to others.
Keep up the great work!
23. February 2009 at 11:24 am
Thank you…the perfect words at the perfect time. Your words changed my very moment of thought and energy.
23. February 2009 at 1:54 pm
love it – thanks!
23. February 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is wonderful. I love the pic from Bird on a Wire, too. It’s perfect. This makes perfect sense but I’ve never looked at this way when it comes to workouts. Positive thoughts, yes. Visualization, you bet. But I haven’t trained my mind to stay positive during workouts. I’ll be trying your exercise tonight when we as a family do our upper body workout and I’ll make sure I get the guys to try it too. This is worth mastering. Thanks again, Shawn. You ROCK! *hugs* ~Micky
23. February 2009 at 4:09 pm
PS Oops I mean “*Man* on a Wire.”
24. February 2009 at 3:48 am
Thank you for pulling back the curtain to share the amazing thought tracks that can take us to higher goals and rewards. I see so many people sabotage themselves by saying that they want to get things done in the gym but it is too hard, too distracting, too early, too late, too old, too much to lose…. pick any excuee; I certainly have the last few years.
But I have learned like you that focusing on what I want, what I expect and not letting anything take that away is what is taking me to the higher rewards. I have followed your email newsletter for over a year and each week has helped me refocue. Reading from yout mindset has made me start stronger and stronger each week.
I know you read and research a lot and I would be interested in what books line your shelves that have helped shape your mindset. I have over 200 books in print and e-book in my own library on business success and personal development. But my question is focused more on who you have looked to in your own growth that led the way in personal fitness for you
Thanks Tony