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March weekly series topic deals with “Fear” and how it
relates to independent artists careers.
“Too many of us are not
living our dreams, because we are living our fears”- Les Brown, speaker
Every one of us has fears of
one type or another. Tall
buildings, fear of needles, or fear of a wiggly or odd- looking creatures.
For me,
spiders, and being in large groups of people are on the top of my fear list.Professionally, being afraid of spiders doesn’t effect me on a regular basis but being in large groups of people is part of my job, and having this be one of my phobia’s – could have been career ending as a speaker, performer, and artist.
Most people who meet me are pretty surprised
that I fear being in large groups of people, since we are usually meeting at a
conference, festival, or workshop with LOTS of people around! It is something that I have spent years
working on, using the desire and passion that inspires me to create and help
others create to diminish the fear that would have paralyzed me. If I left the fear in place? Then it would have prevented
me from touring nationally as a artist, speaking at conferences like, NAMM, ASCAP Awards,
& SXSW. Those experiences were some of the most exciting times in my career, that I would have missed if I didn't do something.
That same tool of
desire and passion are in your artistic tool-box, and you too can put fears that stop you behind you too!
WHAT TRIGGERS FEAR
Let's step back and examine what "Fear" is really all about.
“Fear” is our reaction to a distressing negative sensation by a perceived threat to our safety. It is one of our most primal instincts of basic survival, part of our autonomic response to "fight or flight". These responses in modern times have assumed a wider range of behaviors. For example, the fight response may be manifested in angry, argumentative behavior, and the flight response may be manifested through social withdrawal, or perhaps substance abuse.
Fear almost always relates to
a worsening situation channeling our energy away from the perceived threat,
into directions or even old behaviors that seem safe.
We can leave fears like spoiled children to run free
in our creative house shutting doors and windows, locking inside our potential,
dreams, and hopes. Or we can use our own tool box to unlock the doors and
windows.
RITUALS:
There is nothing like that
ol’ time Religion to inspire your feelings!
Be good and follow the
“rules” and you go to HEAVEN, if you don’t, you are BAD and of course, bad
people go to Hell. Despite Hell being a much warmer climate, we are conditioned
that being bad and hell are undesirable destinations, and what ever spiritual
guidelines your people prescribe to, will determine which behaviors you will be
encouraged to follow.
The media does it’s fair share to manipulate and exploit
the message of fear every day. Simply turn on the evening news. You are flooded
with images, economic failure, losing your home, and of course “Terrorists”.
Who have replaced the communists as the evil dark forces we are told to fear
most.
BRING THE REINFORCEMENTS:
Phobia’s are common and do
not need to cause ongoing distress or disrupt your life to limit you from
achieving your full potential.
You have control. You can
turn off a TV or radio station to limit the influx of negative reinforcements. However, if you find you are avoiding situations or places, or that your fear
is resulting in disabling anxiety, fear, or panic you may need the support a
professional therapist to help you overcome your phobia.
FACING YOUR FEARS:
It’s natural to want to run
and hide. You can’t undo the fight or flight response, Remember, flight isn’t your only
option, you have the opportunity to face your fears, and reclaim control.
By gradually exposing yourself
to your fear will help remove the anxiety and fear.
For example if you are afraid of heights, if you have a
normal fear, you may feel anxious or have butterfly’s in your stomach and sweaty palms as you
peer down from a window in a tall building. You have a Phobia, if your fear of
the tall building results in you turning down a awesome job, because it is on the 15th
floor.
TAKING ACTION:
Make a list of the situations
that you fear the most, then arrange those items from least scary to most
scary. For example if Tall buildings are your fear you may list riding in the
elevator, or even pushing the button as part of a scary situation that you prioritize.
As you make your list(s)
notice the feelings you experience as you write down each item, do you notice a
churning stomach, sweaty palms, or increased respiration? Remember, you are just making a
list, putting words on a page, you are safe, and nothing bad is happening, That
odd feeling your having is you trying a new behavior! What is at the top of your fear list? Let us know in the comment
section below,
Credits:
Crowd photo: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2827812861_d2ca20b877.jpg
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