Feel The Fear +Do It Anyway

I was a shy child.

I remember being teased by my family about a particular episode when as a child I hid under the table from my grand-uncle who was visiting my grandmother.

Not known for a jovial or warm demeanor, it was little wonder that as a child of 4 I was petrified of this brooding man so under the table I stayed until he departed.

At school I was a bright ‘A’ student, but I did not feel the need to be the student who ‘had all the answers’ or was first to offer the answer to a question. I was quietly confident and happy to keep my head down and do my work diligently.

It wasn’t until my late teen years, when I realised that my shyness might become an issue as I entered the world of dating, internships and work.

As an avid reader I sought out a book that might assist in my shyness when I realised that deep down, shyness and anxiety was really fear.

I am a bibliophile and my love affair with books began as a 5 year old when I taught myself to knit as a child. I loved venturing into the West End of London and spending hours amongst the bookshelves of the Charing Cross book stores. I was, therefore, confident that I would find a book which would teach me how to get over my shyness.

Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers jumped out at me! Speaking to to my need to want to ‘do’ something but recognising the fear that was blocking me I immediately bought it and devoured it.

That book was my first ‘self’ help read (after the Bible) and as I made my way through the chapters I realised doing the exercises I was empowered to take a step by step approach to overcome my shyness.

Chapter 1: The Chatterbox In the first chapter of "Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway," Susan Jeffers introduces the concept of the "chatterbox" - the negative voice in our heads that constantly feeds us with self-doubt and fear. She explains that everyone experiences fear, but successful people are those who have learned to acknowledge and confront their fears. Jeffers emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our lives and making a conscious choice to move beyond fear.

Chapter 2: Why Do We Feel the Fear? Jeffers explores the reasons behind our fears in this chapter. She suggests that fear stems from a lack of trust in ourselves and our ability to handle difficult situations. She discusses the fear of the unknown, the fear of not being good enough, and the fear of making mistakes. Jeffers encourages readers to understand that fear is a normal part of life and that it shouldn't hold us back from pursuing our goals and dreams.

Chapter 3: What Are You Afraid Of? In this chapter, Jeffers encourages readers to identify and confront their specific fears. She provides a list of common fears, such as the fear of rejection, the fear of failure, and the fear of being alone. Jeffers emphasizes that once we identify our fears, we can begin to challenge and overcome them. She introduces the concept of "pushing through" the fear and taking small steps towards facing our fears.

Chapter 4: How to Get Started Jeffers discusses strategies for getting started on the path to overcoming fear in this chapter. She emphasizes the importance of taking action, even when we feel fearful. She introduces the idea of "baby steps" - small, manageable actions that gradually build our confidence. Jeffers also encourages readers to reframe their thinking and focus on the positive outcomes that can arise from facing fear.

Chapter 5: How to Keep Moving In this chapter, Jeffers addresses the fear of success and the fear of change. She explores the idea that fear often arises when we step out of our comfort zones. Jeffers provides practical tools for keeping momentum and motivation, such as positive affirmations, visualization, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. She also highlights the importance of self-care and nurturing oneself during times of fear and uncertainty.

Chapter 6: Squashing the Negative Voice It is in this chapter that Jeffers delves deeper into the concept of the "chatterbox" in this chapter. She provides techniques for silencing the negative self-talk that holds us back. Jeffers suggests replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations, challenging limiting beliefs, and practicing self-compassion. She emphasizes the power of our thoughts and encourages readers to cultivate a mindset that supports their growth and success.

Chapter 7: Releasing the Past In this chapter, Jeffers focuses on releasing the emotional baggage from our past that contributes to fear. She discusses the importance of forgiveness, both towards others and ourselves, in order to move forward. Jeffers emphasizes the need to let go of past hurts and embrace a mindset of gratitude and acceptance. She provides exercises and strategies for releasing the emotional burdens that hinder our progress.

Chapter 8: Choosing Love Instead of Fear This penultimate chapter explores the transformative power of love in overcoming fear in this chapter. She discusses the concept of choosing love as a guiding principle in our lives, rather than allowing fear to dictate our actions. Jeffers encourages readers to cultivate a sense of connection and compassion towards others, as well as towards ourselves. She emphasizes that love and fear cannot coexist, and by choosing love, we can experience greater joy and fulfillment.

Chapter 9: The Gift That Fear Gives to You In the final chapter, Jeffers reframes fear as a gift that can help us grow and evolve. She explains that fear provides opportunities for self-discovery and personal development. Jeffers encourages readers to embrace fear as a natural part of life and to view it as a catalyst for positive change. She concludes by reminding readers that it is through facing and transcending fear that we can unlock our true potential and live a life of courage and fulfillment.

Overall, "Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway" offered me the practical advice and tools that I needed as a timid and shy young women for confronting and overcoming fear. It provided a roadmap for observing my mind, realising that it was letting me down in its present mode taking action to overcome my limited beliefs and thought patterns and, finally, embracing fear as a stepping stone towards personal growth and success.

This book was one of my very first empowerment books (after the Bible) which allowed me to move beyond my limitations and live a life driven by courage and self-belief.