Three Steps to Overcome a Place of Fear

As we enter into the last month of the year I've been thinking a lot about fear and my personal journey into the entrepreneur world. I've seen a lot of growth in myself, my peers and my clients over the past year, but I've also seen a lot of people staying stuck.

To truly move forward in life and business, you have to recognize when you are acting from a place of fear. My fears often come up around money or letting down the people I love most. Where are your fears coming up?

In January, I had a desire to leave by 9 to 5, and although I was scared sh*tless, I invested in a coach. I have to be honest with you, if I would have allowed myself to act from a place of fear I would not of left my 9 to 5 in 2016 and would still be in a state of just dreaming. Over the past year I've developed a process to recognize these deep fears, to move past them and live in a moment of trust.

I'd love to offer you in this moment three things that you can do when fear starts to arise in your life. My hope Is that you will be able to recognize these feelings as feelings of fear and learn to trust yourself, the Universe and the growth that is in store for you.

So no matter what you're currently facing, where fear may be showing up for you, by using the following steps you will start to go from a place of fear and overwhelm to a place of love and trust.

three step process to recognize when acting from a place of fear

Step 1 - Recognize the fear.

Often times when we start to feel overwhelmed with the possibility of a negative outcome we will lash out, yell, cry or just throw ourselves into busy work. When this starts happening in your life take a second to sit in stillness, close your eyes and just breathe. Take a moment to really recognize and acknowledge these feelings as a state of fear.

Step 2 - What's the worst that could happen?

When I was thinking about leaving my 9 to 5 and feeling overwhelmed with the fear that I could possibly let my family down, my coach asked me this simple question, "What's the worst that could happen Michelle?" For me it was that I might have to wait tables a few nights a week; definietely not a reason to NOT go after something that could drastically improve my life and the life of my family. To not go for something, that could impact our lives, because we're fearful of a terrifying outcome, is just ridiculous. So next time this feeling comes up for you reflect and ask yourself "what's the worst that could happen?" I bet it isn't as scary as your fears are telling you it is.

Step 3 - Ask for guidance.

Now, I'm not proposing you ask a family or friend for guidance, I truly believe the answer lies within you and you know exactly how you should act. What I'm proposing is you verbally ask yourself for advice. Ask yourself and the Universe for the advice and guidance that you need. So often we have an idea or opportunity and we instantly knock it down, we don't look deeper enough to recognize that we were acting from a place of fear. When we act suddenly without any sort of thought or reflection we are allowing ourselves to move further and further into fear. The answer you are searching for is inside, you just have to ask.

I want you to make yourself a promise. Promise yourself that you will start to recognize these feelings; that you will really reflect on them and that you will make decisions based on your passions, your purpose and how you want your story to end.  Don't let fear dictate your life, trust me when I tell you it really isn't worth it, life on the other side of fear is so beautiful.

I mean what's the worst that could happen?

BE MERRY!

Michelle Knight

P.S. If you are ready to break free of these limitations and the fears that keep coming up for you and ready to step into your true purpose of impacting the world then you want to take advantage of one of my 5 spots left for 2016. Overcoming limitations is just one aspect of my program Passport to Freedom, but is so important in order to step into your true purpose. Learn more here >>

3 Steps to Release Your Fears

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear" -Jack Canfield

The other day I had a moment of absolute fear. It was so consuming that I called my husband in tears. After a long talk about what was holding me back and him reassuring me that he believes in me with all of his being, yeah I got super lucky with him as a partner, I felt better, but drained. Why was I continuing to let fear control parts of life? I've been fighting this battle for years and even though I continue to release it, it seems to sneak back in.

The next morning I was getting ready to meditate and pulled one of my motivation cards. I pulled the "Invite Fear Over For Tea" card. I've pulled this card before and was about to put it back when I felt called to keep it out and make it my focus for the day. What came up for me over the next twenty minutes was life changing.

During my meditation I decided to write a goodbye letter to my fears. I proceeded to write in my journal the following letter.

Dear Fear,

I see you, I hear you and I don’t want you any longer. It is time to hit the road and release this hold you have on me. I’ve been walking in tandem with you for years and we just can’t be connected any longer. I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need you as a crutch any longer. I’m ready to do it with my whole heart and soul and I just can’t do it with you around.

There was a time when you actually brought a little comfort to my life. When I could count on you/blame you to get me out of situations I wasn’t 100% sure of, but now you are consuming me. We have been together too long now and I’ve become dependent on you.

I know you’ll never leave on your own so this is my final goodbye. I’m releasing you to never find you again. This isn’t temporary, we’ve done that before, this is permanent. It’s time for drastic change and I’m ready physically, mentally and emotionally to release you from my soul.

It’s time for me to stand alone, free from fear and put myself and my talents out into this world. It’s time to live freely.

No longer yours,

Michelle Knight

Here is the thing about fears, we all have them. It's how we choose to react to them that dictates our lives. Are you hiding in fear? What are you holding back from because you are afraid of the outcome?

I've created a list of the top three steps to release your fears. Seriously don't wait another minute to say goodbye to your fears.

The immediate release I felt after following these steps and releasing the fears that have been paralyzing me for years felt like nothing else. Is it easy to release them, absolutely not, but it is worth it. Yes, you may have to repeat steps 1 to 3 multiple times in your life, but each time will get easier and you will come out stronger than before.

 

Three steps to release your fears:

1. Get to the core - journal with the intention of asking yourself Why Am I Afraid? and I’m not talking the first answers that come to your mind - you have to explore the underlying fears and where they are coming up and why.

2. Pinpoint Where they are holding you back - Take those fears and pinpoint exact moments in your life where those fears have held you back. Relive those moments and connect on an emotional level. I want you to feel those fears so you can finally come to terms with how toxic they are.

3. finally Release them - verbally, emotionally and physically let it go. Verbally - Say “{INSERT FEAR} I release you and the hold you have on me." Emotionally - Feel it in your soul that you are free of this fear and the emotional hold it has on you. Don’t just say it - Believe it! Physically - I encourage you to physically release the hold fear has on you. My favorite ways include burning your fear (although I’m not responsible for damage so please practice safety) and writing a letter.

If you are serious about releasing your fears and getting to the root of what has been holding you back, it is time to get help. In my 90 Day Passport to Freedom program we uncover what fears and limitation are holding you back from reaching your life of freedom. Uncovering your fears is just as essential as getting your sales funnel in order, and dare I say more important. You can't possible go forward in your business without doing the dirty work and digging down deep. I'd love to support you on this journey >>

Be Merry!

Michelle Knight

Facing Your Fears {Surface-level Shit}

Whether you have a fear of heights, water, public speaking (which if this is you you definitely need to watch my free webinar replay) or something else - it is time to start facing those surface level fears and stop letting them dictate your power.

I personally have always had a fear of heights.

You would never find me standing near a ledge, jumping off rocks or really even going in elevators at a young age. My husband on the other hand, most definitely does not have a fear of heights. It’s not uncommon to see him scaling rocks with absolutely no equipment or jumping off of 40-foot waterfall in Costa Rica; yeah I almost had a heart attack with that one.

When we started dating he was constantly pushing me and pushing me and pushing me to face my fear of heights, but I was not budging. I remember a time in Yosemite when we were there with his whole family and they were all jumping off this rock into the water. I was so scared, but I eventually climbed up the rock, already hard enough on its own, and waited to jump. Needless to say I ended up in tears, climbed down a little bit and jumped off a lower rock. It’s hard to explain, but the feeling I get when I am on the edge of something is an all-encompassing feeling in my whole entire body that the worst is about to happen.

So why am I telling you this? I’m telling you this because I know you can relate. I bet there is a surface level fear you are dealing with that is holding you back in your everyday life.

That rock in Yosemite made me realize that I was sitting back on a lot of fun adventures because I was letting my fear consume me. From then on I made it a point to try one thing that scared me every year when we took our annual anniversary vacation. Since Yosemite in 2012 I’ve walked across a rope bridge in Ireland, stood at the edge of Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, zip lined in Oregon, stood in the glass case at the Sears Tower, hiked to the top of a waterfall in Costa Rica and just recently went indoor rock climbing with my husband. Each one of these experiences has made me get out of my comfort zone and pushed me past my limits - and each of these experiences has carried over into my everyday life.

I’m becoming more adventurous in my decisions, in taking chances and yes, in climbing to the top!

Facing Your Fears:

• Helps you grow as an individual and business owner

• Makes you feel as if you can accomplish anything (especially if it is a fear you've held on to for years)

• Teaches you that YOU have the power

• Gives you a new perspective on life and what you've been holding back from

That’s the trick with facing your fears at the surface level, it opens up the opportunity for new possibilities you might normally ignore out of fear. I want you to remember that every small step you take every chance that you have to face these fears is really a chance for a new beginning.

By facing our fears a little bit at a time we are slowly breaking away the layers that are holding us back.

Be Merry!

If you are ready to stop living your life in fear and reach to make drastic changes in you life and business, then now is the time to book a discovery call with me. let's chat for 30 minutes about where you are, where you want to be and how you are going to get there >>

Become a Public Speaking Pro

It has been reported that 74% of people suffer from speech anxiety - 74%, And I totally believe it!

During my 7 day challenge in my Facebook community more than half of the people participating in the challenge reported a fear of public speaking or networking. The thing is public speaking is one of the best ways to get your messaging, your brand and essentially you in front of the right people.

I’ve literally been speaking in front of people my whole entire life. I participated in performance arts for most of my youth, medaled in speech competitions and could never turn down a microphone. Later in my life I majored and worked in public relations, helping write speeches for business CEO’s and nonprofits. Even today I work in the communications department at a major nonprofit, talking on camera, writing speeches for our Executive Director and speaking to large and small groups alike.

So when I tell you I know a thing or two about public speaking, I mean it! Now I might not have a fear of public speaking, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous - cause I do. However, my experience working with others who have this fear has prepared me to help coach and train entrepreneurs overcome their fear of public speaking and completely ROCK their next speaking gig.

Today I’m sharing three things you can easily do to prepare to your next engagement. If you are looking for a more in-depth training and to learn the top five tips I’ve learned over the years then register today.

Practice, Practice

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it still needs to be said. Why? Because no matter how many times it is said people still skip this step. Seriously, the number one thing you can do is PRACTICE. Get your butt in front of a mirror and practice. Grab a friend and practice. Just practice. Practicing your speech makes you recognize repetition, facial expressions and just better prepares you to deliver your speech.

Tell A Story

So I understand that the point of your speech might be to share a product or service, and ultimately buy into what you are sharing. But the key to getting great results is to have them buy into you. In order to do this you have to be relatable and authentic (so much more on this in the training). Telling a story from the beginning breaks the ice, is a fantastic transition and makes you seem more relatable.

Simplify

So often we think we have to cram everything we know into a speech - this just isn’t the case. You want people to take away your main points and you can’t possibly do that if you are overloading them with things to remember. Simple is best when it comes to public speaking. Pick your top three things you want your audience to takeaway and build your speech around that (P.S. we go deep into messaging in the webinar).

If you have a fear of public speaking, trouble speaking about your business to others or just need to take your skills to the next level then you need this training.

Click here to reserve your spot for the training.