Fear-setting vs. goal-setting…one way to approach the new year to get what you want
We are all familiar with goal-setting, especially as one year winds down and a new one is on the horizon. Did you set any goals in 2016? How many did you complete? If you are like most people, you probably set some nice-to-have goals and maybe you accomplished quite a few of them. For the rest of us it seems like one goal carriers over from the previous year to the next: loose weight, travel more, get a promotion, etc. Today we are going to view goal-setting with a different lens. It’s what Tim Ferriss refers to as "fear-setting” described in his latest book, Tools of Titans. Fear-setting, simply defined, is a one way to conquer fear. Why would we want to do that? Often it is fear that stands in our way of accomplishing what we want in life. It holds us back. We fear 'uncertainty and the prospect of failure’. As Tim points out, most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty. Before we tackle our fear it must first be defined.
“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” ~ Yoda
Step #1 - Define what it is you fear.
Do you fear being healthy?
Do you fear changing jobs/career?
Do you fear ending a toxic relationship? Beginning a new one?
Do you fear having a difficult conversation?
Step #2 - Rate your fear on a scale of 1 to 10. Look at each fear and ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen. Rate it with “1” being nothing and “10” being permanently life-changing. So if your fear is being healthy, what is the worst case scenario? Fighting cravings? Not knowing how to exercise? Making time for it?
Step #3 - Write down your answers. This is explained in Tools of Titans. Tim suggests to define your nightmare, the absolute worst that could happen if you did what you are considering. What doubt, fears, and “what-ifs” pop up as you consider the big changes you can - or need to - make? Envision them in painstaking detail. Would it be the end of your life? What would be the permanent impact, if any, on a scale of 1 to 10? Are these things really permanent? How likely do you think it is they would actually happen?
Other questions he asks us to consider:
What steps could you take to repair the damage or get things back on upswing, even if temporarily?
What are the outcomes or benefits, both temporary and permanent of more probable scenariors?
If you were fired from your job today, what would you do to get things under financial control?
What are you putting off out of fear?
What is it costing you - financially, emotionally, and physically - to postpone action?
What are you waiting for?
As the year comes to a close, give pause, think (and write) about what you fear the most. Define it. Look at it straight on with the understanding that risks aren’t as scary once you take them. We begin a new year. What are you waiting for? To your journey, Lisa Schaffer GreenNote Fitness P.S. Check out my Facebook page for inspiration. P.P.S. Discover GreenNote Fitness recommendations for recovery, supplements, protein bars & powders, nutrition, equipment, books and more. **Do you have a friend that would benefit from this information? Please forward it to them!**
