At the beginning of a new year many people strive for change, they may even get it in their heads that it is time to try something new. They choose a new thing to do (a class at the gym, reading more, finding a new job or career, etc.), they may even take a step forward in doing that thing (signing up for the class, buying a bunch of books, looking at job listings) but right on the verge of actually doing the thing something stops them. For many people that "something" is fear. What is there to fear you ask? Well, EVERYTHING! Failure. Other people’s opinions. Change. Your own limitations. All the "what ifs?" There is so much to fear when we change or try something outside of our norm. But still we persist, right? So, what do we do to get started and keep up with a new aspect of our lives? Below are some tips on how to manage the fear and move forward with trying something new:
1. Use your enthusiasm
When you first come up with an idea, one tends to be pretty excited about it. This excitement is motivating and will propel you into action. Go with it. If you can jump into the new thing before the fear kicks up to much, take that opportunity and run with it. You may get there and not want to go in, or keep going, but if you do your fear is bound to dissipate, at least slightly because along with the fear you will also fee pride at having succeeded at following through.
2. Embrace the fear
OK, so you didn’t jump right in as soon as you had the idea to do something new? You're already scared? Well, then now its time to accept that fearful feeling and look at it. What are you afraid of? What will happen if you do this? What do you need to confront in order to move forward? If you can sort through what it is that you are avoiding by not doing the thing you are much more likely to be able to do it. Accept the fear and that is a part of change and keep on moving.
3. Expect setbacks
Many people dislike doing things they are not immediately good at. But we can't be the best at everything right? When you start something new its good to confront your expectations and see the pitfalls that may lie ahead from the start. So your not the most athletic but you want to join that zumba class you've been eying at the gym? Start slow. Know your limits. If you make it through the first class you are a winner and give yourself some props for that. You are only going to improve from where you start but there may be periods, especially at the beginning that will feel like failures. Reframe those alleged failures in your mind and keep your momentum. Just by trying something new you have already had a success.
4. Do the thing with someone else
The fear has got you and you just can't get started, right? Try doing your new thing with someone else. A friend, coworker, family member, anyone you know could be a potential teammate in your new venture. Doing new things with someone else can make it far less scary and you now have someone you are accountable to which will help you to stay on track.
5. Keep doing it
This may be the hardest part of trying something new. At the beginning it can be scary but also exciting. As the excitement starts to wane so may the enthusiasm for your new venture. Try to keep with it. If it starts to feel boring or isn’t what you expected give your self a time frame and don’t quit until that period is over. Collaborate with others who are enthusiastic about it. Most importantly try and remind yourself why you wanted to do this in the first place. What is the goal? What did you want to get out of it? Hold yourself accountable and keep going until you feel you have truly gotten what you wanted out of trying something new.
