In this era of accelerating change, tremendous competition and overwhelming complexities, you often wish to showcase to the world the vast amount of potential which you have. However, somewhere along the line, you fail to gather the required courage and confidence. You become afraid, thinking about the unpredictable future which you would have to face if you take some stern actions in your present.

Why is it that we do not want to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to greatness? Contrary to the common perception, it’s not that we like to confine ourselves to easy things, but rather we are so scared to step out and face the uncertainty, that we never attempt to get out of it.

The following are the 3 fears which you need to overcome if you have a desire for a great life:

1. Fear of the Unknown

According to the scientific studies, our human mind is designed to remain in it’s comfort zone and is not allowed to meander out of it. This is the reason why we have to face a lot of resistance mentally while treading an unknown path. But it is also a universal fact that no great achiever ever did something out of the box while sitting on the couch, having some potato chips and watching T.V.

If you want to be successful, then you’ve got to do what Robert Frost says, “Take the road less travelled”. I believe that the comfort of easiness is far more dangerous than the fear of the unknown. Transcend your fears, shatter your limits and go as far as you can to see what life has in store for you.

“Many times, the thought of fear itself is greater than what it is we fear.” – Idowu Koyenikan

2. Fear of Failure

This is the most commonly believed reason for the cessation of one’s progress. You never try to get ahead of where you are, because you don’t want to lose what you’ve already earned. It always insinuates the ‘What If’ element into your mind. What if I could never be better than the person standing next to me? What if I try and I fail? What if I lose everything?

I strongly believe that you could never become the person you’ve dreamt to be if you don’t take advantage of the chances which life presents to you on a regular basis. You’ve got to think about the opportunities and not the obligations. You’ve got to acknowledge the fact that failure is the stepping stone towards success and therefore you must embrace it. If you want to be successful, then whatever task you have, make sure you go all in and please, don’t count the cost and just do it.

3. Fear of Success

Controversial subheading? Perhaps. But I think it’s true. Many people know that they have the ability to pull off a specific task, but they still don’t do it. You know why? Because they don’t want to be burdened by the pressure of future expectations by others. They get petrified thinking about the high expectations which comes with the gratification of a task.

Now, for real, do you think that you can get to great heights just by continuously operating at the same level? Do you think Steve Jobs could have made the iPhone had there been no pressure on him to introduce a better version of it every time it shows up in the market? Either pressure will break you, or it will allow itself to be your breakthrough.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” –Winston Churchill

So, which fear are you going to smash to the ground? Do leave it in the comments below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com