Cause of Procrastination #4 - F.E.A.R.

Succumbing to our fears makes it easy for us to start putting things off, delaying action and ultimately not completing tasks and goals we set for ourselves. Fear of how we're perceived, fear of failure and fear of success can stop the chronic procrastinator dead in their tracks. But, if we're to live up to our potential, we have to "do us". We can't afford to worry about how folks will look at us or their opinions. You have to live your life and be happy with it as do they have to live theirs.

Believe it or not, many are afraid of what will happen if they reach their goals and become successful. They fear how their life might change with new responsibilities. Along with this fear comes doubt about their worthiness of what they're seeking.

"The fear of success is a very unique issue that arises when you are genuinely creating change and moving forward in your life," says Ti Caine, a hypnotherapist and life coach based in Sherman Oaks, California. "The fear of success is very real because the future is real-we're all heading there-and what we imagine for our future has an enormous influence on us."

In their most basic form, these concerns are all fears of the unknown. in fact the acronym for fear, F.E.A.R., is FALSE EXPECTATIONS APPEARING REAL. Nothing has even happened that should make us afraid, yet we're anticipating the worst. The chronic procrastinator does not know what the outcome will be or how it will affect them and this causes their thoughts to tangle and become tense. They freeze and put off any action until they are confident that they know exactly how it will come about.

Invariably, this usually results in a negative outcome and increases the depth of their fear the next time they are presented with a similar situation or opportunity. After the collapse of two businesses it took me a long time to even consider doing anything else entrepreneurial. I was afraid that if I started another venture I would lose money, be embarrassed, and end up once again starting from the bottom. Because I couldn't let go of the past, my fears began to control me. It doesn’t take long for this to become a habit of life and common way of living for those that slip into the grasp of chronic procrastination.

Facing Our Fears to Achieve Our Goals

Fear has a purpose. It helps keep us safe, keeps us from taking too dangerous of risks. For too many people though, the power of fear keeps them from improving their lives. In order to become self-confident you must believe you can try to change and succeed. Facing your fear is essential to living the life you most want to lead.

Being afraid is a pretty intense emotion. The first time we feel it we might not even know why. Strangely enough, it is not always the fear of failure that forces us to grab ahold. Sometimes it is the fear of success that takes the driver's seat.

To understand how to defeat your fear, you must understand its motivation.

Many times people can easily list the benefits to the situations they're headed into. It's what they don't know that's so frightening. "What will happen if I leave my husband?" "What will happen once we're married?" "How will this baby change my life?"

Fear can paralyze your ability to make decisions. When that happens, it's time to survey your options. The world is full of resources where possible outcomes can be rehashed and researched. Talk to other newlyweds and divorcees. Check out parenting TV shows, books and message boards.

Don't be afraid to use your personal resources. If a friend or neighbor has gone through something similar, talk to that person. There's no substitute for having been there.

Once you understand what kinds of consequences you're facing, it's much easier to prepare for them.