Dealing With Fear and Anxiety: Principle 3

When dealing with fear, it is helpful to realize that not all fears are created equal. W. Timothy Gallwey and Robert Kriegel devote an entire chapter to two kinds of fear in their book, Inner Skiing, which they call Fear 1 and Fear 2. Fear 1 magnifies danger and vulnerability while minimizing your sense of competence. In other words, Fear 1 is Fantasy Expectations Appearing Real.

Fear 2 mobilizes your whole being for effective action. It includes a series of marvelous physiological changes that prepare the body for peak performance. Fear 2 focuses attention, provides adrenaline for extraordinary effort, and sharpens perception. Fear 2 promotes effective action, Fear 1 paralyzes us and prevents action.

Return to the list of fears that you made in the first exercise in this guide. Now, you have the opportunity to sort your fears by type. Work through your list, labeling each fear as:

• Fear 1
• Fear 2
• Not sure, or includes aspects of both types of fear.

If you have not yet written a fear list, do so now. Writing down your fears is a powerful step in dealing with fears and anxiety and eventually managing them. Until you write them down, they are like so many vehicles in gridlock. Once you have them on paper, you can park some and move others, clearing a space for forward movement. In this way, writing down your fears creates a space for awareness and choice. (Tip: Refrain from judging yourself or your fears. Just list and label them.)

Making the Distinction Between Two Types of Fear

Once you have a list, notice where Fear 1 and Fear 2 show up. The following distinctions will help:

• Fear 1 promotes panic and confusion. Fear 2 promotes clarity and purpose.
• Fear 1 is often about saving face. Fear 2 is about stepping out of your comfort zone.
• Fear 1 triggers avoidance of the facts. Fear 2 heightens awareness and perception.
• Fear 1 wants you just to stop. Fear 2 wants you to move forward powerfully and safely.
• Fear 1 magnifies danger and vulnerability. Fear 2 calls on our capacity to respond to danger.
• Fear 1 originates in our ego mind. Fear 2 is a whole-system response.

Both types of fear are present in many situations. What is important is to use your powers of assessment and discrimination to turn down the volume on Fear 1 while calling on Fear 2 for the energy and focus to move forward. With practice, you can actually transform Fear 1 into Fear 2 by focusing and accurately assessing the real risk and your real competence.

For example, Fear 1 makes a terrified skier (and I speak from experience!), see a shear drop where the slope is actually quite moderate. When the skier stops and measures the actual slope by holding her pole parallel to it, she increases her awareness of actual conditions, reducing the influence of Fear 1. By continuing to examine the slope, seeing in her mind’s eye how she would ski the slope if she chose to, she further reduces panic. When at last she takes off down the hill, trusting in her competence and in her assessment of the challenge, she completes her shift from Fear 1 (panic) into Fear 2 (concentrated exhilaration).

Learning to deal with fears in this manner takes practice. The pay off is potentially unlimited as you remove barriers to learning, performance and joy.

About the Author
Molly Gordon is a Master Certified Coach, who shows accidental entrepreneurs how to manifest the success that is the natural consequence of living their hearts' desires with integrity, authenticity, and passion. Since 1996, she has coached hundreds of clients through personal and professional transformation. Her unique coaching style is informed by her experience as a business owner and artist as well as her lifetime commitment to service and creativity. She is a widely sought after speaker and facilitator.

Molly says:
I support my clients to live lives of meaning and prosperity. Learn more about business coaching and personal growth coaching I offer. When you are ready to transform your life, email me, mgordonATmollygordon.com, to discuss whether coaching is right for you and to see if we are a good fit. Until then, please accept my heartfelt good wishes.

How to Overcome Fears and Anxiety
by Molly Gordon, MCC

Table of Contents

How to Overcome Fears and Anxiety - Introduction
Dealing With Fear: Principle 1 - F.E.A.R.
Dealing With Fear: Principle 2 - Tapping into Your Body Wisdom
Dealing With Fear: Principle 3 - Discerning Two Types of Fear
Dealing With Fear: Principle 4 - Maintaining Homeostasis,
Self Sabotage, and Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
What is Important in Working with Homeostasis to Get Unstuck
The List of Books on Fear
Fear Quotes

Business Coach and Personal Growth Coach Molly Gordon
available in Greater Seattle Area and internationally can be reached at:
mgordonATmollygordon.com | Phone: 360.633.4397 | Fax: 206.201.5020

Dealing With Fear and Anxiety: Principle 3 - Discern Two Types of Fear

Making the Distinction Between Two Types of Fear

Dealing With Fear and Anxiety:
Principle 3 - Discern Two Types of Fear