"Instead of denying these fears, declare them, say them out loud, admit them, give them the credit they deserve… Find the courage to overcome them."

Facing our fears head-on is the essence of this idea. It’s about acknowledging what scares us instead of pushing those feelings aside. Think about it—when we confront our fears directly, we can better understand and manage them. It’s a lot harder to deal with something you pretend doesn’t exist, right?

Historically, many leaders and thinkers have echoed similar sentiments. Take Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous line, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," during his first inaugural address in 1933. The context was the Great Depression, a period of severe economic hardship. People were scared, uncertain about the future. Roosevelt knew that acknowledging the fear was the first step to overcoming it. By addressing it openly, he rallied the nation to face their challenges together.

Let me give you a real-life example to bring this idea to life. Imagine a young woman named Sarah who has always dreamed of starting her own bakery. She has a talent for making the most delicious pastries, but she's terrified of failing. The thought of her bakery not succeeding keeps her up at night. Instead of denying her fear, Sarah decides to confront it. She sits down with a mentor and says, "I'm afraid this won't work out." By voicing her fear, she opens up a space for discussion and advice. Her mentor helps her create a business plan, and they work through the challenges together. Sarah’s bakery becomes a local favorite, all because she had the courage to admit her fear and seek help.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by acknowledging your fears. Write them down, talk about them with a friend or mentor, or even say them out loud to yourself. Admitting what scares you is the first step to conquering it. When you give your fears the credit they deserve, you’re taking the power away from them and giving it back to yourself. It’s like shining a light in a dark room—you can see everything more clearly and navigate your way through.

Now, imagine you're preparing for a big presentation at work. You’re nervous—your palms are sweaty, and your heart is racing. Instead of pretending you’re not scared, admit it. Tell a colleague, “I’m really nervous about this presentation.” They might respond with, “Me too, but we’ve got this.” You’ll likely find that admitting your fear actually lessens its grip on you. You can then focus on preparation and practice, knowing you’re not alone in your feelings.

In essence, don’t let fear control you by hiding it away. Face it, speak about it, and you’ll find that the act of acknowledging it can be incredibly empowering. It’s not about never being afraid—fear is a natural part of life. It’s about what you do with that fear. When you declare your fears, you’re taking the first brave step towards overcoming them. And who knows? You might inspire someone else to do the same.