Keep A Fear List

Keeping a list of all the things you want to say/do but are too afraid to is such an underrated way to grow. 

I know it sounds kind of weird, but it is one of the most interesting exercises I've adopted this year that has led to massive personal growth.

You get to witness and explore your fears by actively engaging with them.

It's simple: keep a notes tab on your phone or in your journal and every time you notice, or reflect on a time you were afraid and didn't act, write it down.

Obviously there are some real things to be afraid of, what I'm talking about are the small little fears we experience on a regular basis.

• the time you were too afraid to say that nice thing to the stranger in front of you at the coffee shop.

• the time you were too afraid to ask for something at work because you didn't want to inconvenience someone.

• the time you put someone else's needs ahead of yours because you were too afraid of letting them down or putting them out.

When you start to list them out, you start to notice how often you experience fear and how subtle it is.

You start to identify gaps in your awareness and start to witness how often you let fear control your actions reactively.

And you begin to limit the control fear has over you, just by simply bringing more attention to the types of things you're afraid to say or do.

It's not about necessarily acting on them, but to just understand them some more.

A way to take it deeper is to start to ask yourself, "why am I afraid to say or do this thing?".

Notice what comes up.

This is the sweet spot of self exploration.

The deep investigation of one's own thoughts and emotions.

Have fun with it.