How Facing Your Fears Can Help You Grow
This past weekend, I performed and lectured for the attendees at the Winter Carnival of Magic convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Initially, I intended to perform my critically-acclaimed mentalism show, "Thought Reader." But the organizers had something different in mind — they wanted me to perform my stage comedy hypnosis show, "Hypnotized!"
I performed my hypnosis show for 20 years (1990 - 2010), but it had been over a decade since my last performance. However, I have stayed on top of the hypnosis world by coaching mental healthcare professionals, entertainers, and humans wanting to make a change.
The thought of performing my hypnosis show created a strong feeling of anxiety within me. Part of me knew I could perform the show, but my perfectionist side knew I was rusty in this area. So I said, "Of course, I'll do my hypnosis show!"
Even though I felt anxious, I agreed to perform my stage hypnosis show. It wasn't for the money, applause, or ego — I took the gig because doing things in life that create anxiety or even scare us is how humans grow.
Thirty years ago, I made a promise to myself to say "yes" to things that scare me. And because of this promise, I've had many experiences that have made me a better human.
When we face our fears and do things that scare us, we gain a sense of confidence and self-assurance that can propel us to new heights. This is precisely why I agreed to perform my hypnosis show at the Winter Carnival of Magic. Doing so put me in a position to learn and grow.
How can you adopt this philosophy in your own life?
Here are a few steps you can take:
Identify your fears: Start by identifying the things that scare you. These could be small things, like speaking in public, or more significant challenges, like changing careers.
Take small steps: Once you have identified your fears, start taking small steps to face them. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking, you could start by giving a speech in front of a small group of friends.
Embrace failure: It's essential to remember that failure is a part of the learning process. Don't be afraid to fail — don't let failure discourage you. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Be patient: Personal growth takes time. Don't expect to conquer your fears overnight. Take things one step at a time, and be patient with yourself.
Doing things that scare us is an essential part of personal growth. By stepping out of our comfort zone and facing our fears, we gain valuable experience that can help us become better humans.
If you want to adopt this philosophy in your life, start by identifying your fears and taking small steps to face them. Then, embrace failure and be patient with yourself. With time and practice, you'll find that you can take on new challenges with confidence and self-assurance.
In case you're wondering, the show wasn't one of my bests, but I received multiple compliments from audience members.
