WHEN FEAR IS OUR DRIVER, BUT ALSO A BRAKE
OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR AUTHENTIC LIFE
2. April 2025
Everyone is afraid of something. It is natural for humans because fear is one of the basic instincts of humans. As part of evolution, the amygdala (the oldest paired structure in the brain) was formed in the limbic system of the prehistoric brain center, which triggers the reaction of the so-called self-preservation instinct. This happens regardless of whether we face a real threat (threat to life, health, etc.) or a psychological threat (presumed subjective threat). The amygdala has mechanisms that are automatically triggered to protect us from danger and are key to our survival.
We experience subjective (psychological) threat every day – it manifests itself in various forms of stress. For example, it is a traffic jam that stresses us out, or a presentation at a conference, fear/stress about being late for work, fear/stress about failing an exam, or what someone will or will not say about me, and many other situations.
Many times, there are precisely fears that motivate and drive us towards our success. They are unconscious processes. We want to prove to ourselves and the “world” that we mean something, that we are good enough, capable, strong, wise ... However, if our fears are one driving force, the success achieved in this way is not sustainable. It will become a burden for us, because it will be a constant source of stress and worries, e.g. about possible failure. On the other hand, fear can also significantly limit us in what is possible for us to achieve in life. It can block us or hold us back from our motivation and courage to step in the desired direction or open ourselves to opportunities.
From a developmental perspective, it is impossible for a healthy person not to be afraid. But what is possible is to learn to recognize, understand and dissolve it. Learning to work with your fear and cultivate courage is vital. Because if a person lives in constant fear and stress, it has an impact on his/her health, interpersonal relationships and his/her freedom.
At the LeadIN center, within the framework of transformational authentic leadership programs , we also address, among other things, the topic of fear. It is a key topic on the path of transformation. Clients who have completed our leadership programs have learned to work with their fears in a way that effectively serves them on their path of change towards a peaceful and balanced life. The program is comprehensive and, in addition to the topic of fear, it systematically focuses on:
- Talent – how to recognize it, understand it and how to fully use your strengths on the path to success and satisfaction,
- Attitudes - how they affect our work and personal lives,
- Passions - and the importance of integrating passions into our lives,
- Collaboration - the power of the network and the challenge of the ecosystem,
- Team leadership - how to lead a team to be in flow and play the "1st league",
- Negotiation – how to negotiate for mutual benefit,
- ... and many more. You can read more on our website in the PROGRAMS section.
I will end this blog with the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said: "I have learned that courage does not mean the absence of fear, but victory over it. A brave person is not the one who is not afraid, but the one who overcomes his fear."
– Author, Viera Konová, April 2025 –