Podcast Description:
In this episode we explore what fear really is, why it often holds us back, and how we can face it to grow our confidence. Through real-life examples and easy-to-follow tips, you’ll learn to see fear not as a barrier, but as a step toward personal growth. By the end, you’ll feel ready to move forward, challenge yourself, and turn fear into a source of strength.
You Will Know:
- How to understand fear as a sign you’re growing
- Simple steps you can take to face what scares you
- A new way to think about failure and success
- How to build confidence by making small, steady improvements
- Techniques to quiet self-doubt and focus on what you can do
- How to be kinder to yourself so you can keep moving forward
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00:00:00
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Active Action Podcast, where voices inspire and entertain.
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Hi, everyone.
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Welcome back to the Active Action Podcast.
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I'm your host, Dr. Nazif.
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And today, we are diving headfirst into something
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that touches every single one of us, and that is fear.
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Specifically, how we can overcome the fears that hold us back
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and build genuine, lasting confidence.
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If you're tuning in right now, I've got a hunch
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that maybe there is a goal you want to chase,
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a dream you have been putting on hold,
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or perhaps something in your life you know you need to tackle,
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but fear is whispering to you, and it's saying,
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wait, not yet.
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Let's change that narrative today.
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Let's break down these walls together.
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Before we jump in, I want to say this.
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Fear isn't an enemy.
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It's a natural human emotion.
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It's your mind's way of trying to protect you.
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But when fear starts dictating your decisions,
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when it's no longer just looking out for you,
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but actually holding you back, then we actually have a problem.
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And I want to help you solve it.
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So grab something cozy, maybe a cup of tea or coffee,
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settle in, and let's explore how to move from fear to courage,
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from self-doubt to self-belief.
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Let's start by acknowledging that everyone deals with fear.
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And I mean everyone, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists,
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parents, students, and leaders.
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No one is immune.
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The difference between someone who gets stuck
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and someone who moves forward is in the absence of fear.
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It's their relationship with it.
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The good news is that our relationship with fear
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is something we can change.
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I remember a time not too long ago
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when I was considering a big career move,
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starting from this very podcast, in fact.
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I was terrified.
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I wondered who's going to listen.
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What if no one cares what I have to say?
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What if I fail publicly and everyone sees it?
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Fear was doing its best to convince me
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that silence and inaction were a safer thing to do.
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So then what changed?
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Eventually, I realized that the possibility of never trying,
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never knowing was more painful than any potential failure.
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I'd rather deal with a stumble forward than a standstill.
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And let me tell you that mindset shift changed everything.
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So what is fear, really?
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At its core, fear is your brain's alarm system.
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It's doing what it's biologically wired to do,
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keep you safe.
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Way back when we were living in caves, this was great.
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Fear kept us from getting too close to cliff edges
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or from poking a sleeping saber-toothed tiger.
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But now our fears are often less about immediate physical danger
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and more about perceived threats,
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embarrassment, rejection, judgment, and failure.
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The tricky thing is your brain treats these social
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and psychological fears like real dangers.
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Your heart might race at the thought of public speaking
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the same way it would if you ran into a wild animal.
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Understanding this helps you see fear for what it is,
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a signal, not a stop sign.
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It's your body radar picking up on uncertainty, and it's okay.
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The goal isn't to eradicate fear,
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it's to learn how to respond to it
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in a way that keeps you moving forward.
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Let's break down some common fears that hold people back.
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One I hear a lot is the fear of failure,
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that worry that if you try and don't succeed,
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it will confirm every nagging doubt
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you have ever had about yourself.
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But here's the truth, failure is a feedback.
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It's information you can use to improve.
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Think of a time like learning a new skill.
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Think of it like learning a new skill.
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Nobody wakes up one day and flawlessly plays the guitar
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on their first try.
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You hit some wrong notes, maybe your fingers cramp,
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but you learn from that.
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Each attempt brings you closer to competence.
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Another big one is the fear of what other people might think.
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This is huge in an age of social media,
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where everything is public and can be scrutinized.
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But let's put it into perspective.
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People are far more focused on their own lives,
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their own insecurities, and their own fears
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than they are on your choices.
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Yes, some might judge,
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but their judgment does not define you.
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Often, the loudest critic
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is that internal voice you carry around.
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If you can learn to quit that,
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you're already halfway there.
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There's also the fear of success.
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It sounds odd, but it's real.
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Sometimes we fear that if we succeed,
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we'll set expectations too high
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and won't be able to maintain them.
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Or maybe we fear losing relationships
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if we outgrow certain comfort zones.
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But trust me, true friends, true supporters
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want to see you shine.
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Success might shift your landscape,
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but it also expands your horizons
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and your capacity to do good.
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So, how do we face these fears head on?
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One approach is to start small.
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If you're afraid of public speaking,
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don't jump straight into a TED Talk.
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Start with a small group of friends
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or even practice alone in front of a mirror.
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If you're afraid of asking for a raise,
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start by articulating your value to yourself,
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writing down your accomplishments
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and practicing a confident speech.
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Small steps build momentum.
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That is important.
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They shrink the mountain of fear into manageable heels.
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It's also helpful to reframe your fear.
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Instead of seeing fear as an indicator
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that something bad will happen,
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see it as a sign that you're stepping into growth territory.
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Fear pops up when you're on the edge of your comfort zone.
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That's exactly where growth happens.
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Getting comfortable with discomfort is key
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because the more you stretch,
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the bigger your comfort zone becomes.
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Over time, what you seem terrifying becomes a routine.
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Now, let's talk about confidence
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because overcoming fear and building confidence
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go hand in hand.
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Confidence isn't about being fearless.
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It's about feeling the fear and taking action anyway.
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It's about trust,
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trusting that you have the capacity to learn,
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adapt and handle whatever comes your way.
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One myth I want to bust right now
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is that confidence is something you either have or don't have.
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That's not true at all.
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Confidence is a skill you develop.
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Just like learning to ride a bike or play an instrument,
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you can increase your confidence through consistent practice.
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You build it up by taking small, consistent actions
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that prove to yourself you can handle challenges.
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Consider this.
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Every time you try something slightly scary and survive it,
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which you usually would do,
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you get a small deposit in your confidence bank.
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Maybe it's introducing yourself to someone new at a networking event
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or finally hitting publish on that blog post you have been sitting on.
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Every action taken despite fear
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is like doing a rep at the gym for your self-belief muscles.
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Over time, those small wins add up
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and you start to realize that, yes, you can handle more than you thought.
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Yes, you are capable.
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And yes, you can learn from your mistakes.
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And suddenly, fear loses a bit of its power.
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It becomes less of an intimidating giant
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and more of a passing cloud.
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Now, let's dive into some practical strategies for overcoming fear
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and building that inner confidence.
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First, you have to acknowledge your fear.
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The first step is to notice and name what you're afraid of.
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When fear is a vague feeling, it has too much power.
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Leveling it helps.
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Maybe say, I'm afraid of applying for this promotion
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because I'm worried I'll be rejected.
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Now, the fear is on the table.
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It's specific.
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Once it's specific, you can address that.
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Next, challenge your thoughts.
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Fear often comes with a narrative.
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If I fail, it will be humiliating.
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Or everyone will see me mess up and never respect me again.
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Write these thoughts down.
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Are they rational?
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How likely are they really?
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Often, you put these fears on paper and you'll see exaggerations.
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Ask yourself, what's the worst that could happen?
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And then, how would I handle it if that worst case did happen?
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You'll find you're more resilient than you think.
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You are listening to the Active Action Podcast.
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Visit activeactionpodcast.com to explore all episodes.
00:10:41
Active Action Podcast, where voices inspire and entertain.
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Then shift your perspectives.
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Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, consider what could go right.
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Ask, what if I succeed?
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Or what if I learned something valuable?
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Visualizing positive outcomes can give you the motivation to push through fear.
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Then create an action plan.
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Overcoming fear isn't just about a mindset.
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It's also about action plan.
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Break your goal down into tiny steps.
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Instead of saying, I want to start my own business, say,
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today, I'll research three potential business ideas.
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Tomorrow, I'll draft a quick business plan overview.
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Action builds confidence because it transforms fear into forward motion.
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Then seek support.
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You don't have to face the fear alone.
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Talk to your friends, mentor, coaches, or support groups.
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Hearing, I believe in you from someone else can help shore up your belief.
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And sometimes just voicing your fears out loud can reduce their intensity.
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If a friend asks you for advice on overcoming their fear, what would you tell them?
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Often, we are kinder and wiser coaches to others than ourselves.
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Borrow some of that compassion and apply it towards yourself.
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Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
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Fear often manifests in the body, raising hard, tense muscles, and shallow breathing.
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Training yourself to calm down physically can help your mind follow suit.
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Deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even a quick walk around the block
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can help reset your nervous system and give you clarity.
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Now, let's talk about developing a growth mindset.
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This concept, coined by psychologist Carol DeWick, is about believing the abilities
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and intelligence can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and input from others.
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When you adopt a growth mindset, fears become less about,
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I can't do this, and more about, I can't do this yet.
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That little word yet is powerful.
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It's very powerful.
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It implies possibility, learning, and eventual mastery.
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Even if things don't go as planned, that's not a verdict on your worth or your ability.
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It's just part of the learning process.
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With a growth mindset, every failure is a stepping stone, not a dead end.
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Another way to build confidence is to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they are.
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Did you speak up in a meeting when you usually stay quiet?
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That's a win.
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Did you finally send that email you have been dreading?
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It's a win as well.
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Every positive action taken despite fear deserves recognition.
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Reflection on these wins regularly helps anchor the idea that you are capable, resilient, and moving forward.
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And don't forget the power of role models and mentors.
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Think of someone who embodies confidence in you.
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Study how they think and behave.
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Ask yourself, how would they handle the situation?
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It's not about copying them exactly, but adopting the attitude and strategies that help them navigate fear.
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We're all standing on the shoulder of those who came before us.
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So let their example guide you.
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I also want to remind you that building confidence is not a one-time event.
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It's not like you wake up in the morning and you're fearless forever.
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Confidence ebbs and flows.
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Even the most successful people have moments of doubt.
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The difference is that they have learned how to handle that doubt.
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They expect it and they have a system in place like self-taught routines,
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supportive communities that can help them bounce back quickly.
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This is why self-compassion is so crucial.
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You will slip up.
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You will have setbacks.
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That is not a reflection of your worth.
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It's just a reflection of being human.
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Treat yourself as you treat a good friend who's struggling with kindness, understanding, and encouragement.
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Fear is hard enough without beating yourself up over feeling it.
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Let's do a quick exercise right now.
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Think of something you have been afraid to do.
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Maybe it's asking someone out, applying for a dream job, starting a new project, or learning a skill that intimidates you.
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Visualize that action clearly in your mind.
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What is that one small step that you can take today right after this episode that moves you in that direction?
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It doesn't have to be huge, just something that says, I'm not letting fear decide for me anymore.
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Now picture yourself doing that successfully or at least trying it wholeheartedly.
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Imagine how you're feeling afterwards, proud, relieved, and stronger.
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That feeling is a glimpse of confidence and it's available to you right now.
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When you take action despite fear, you're literally rewiring how you see yourself.
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Over time, you go from someone who's held back by fear to someone who acknowledges it and still moves forward.
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We have covered a lot of ground today and we talked about what fear really is,
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why it's so persistent, and how to break that.
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We discussed strategies to tackle fear head on and practical steps to build confidence from the ground up.
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We also explored the power of reframing fear, adopting a growth mindset,
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and the importance of celebrating your win, seeking support, and practicing self-compassion.
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If there's one message I want you to take away from this episode, it's this.
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Fear is normal, but it doesn't have to run the show.
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You have so much more power than you realize.
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You can acknowledge your fear, understand it, and then choose to act in ways that align with your goals, values, and dreams.
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With each courageous action, you're training yourself to be more confident.
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In time, what once felt impossible will become a second nature.
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As we wrap up, I want to invite you to put some of these ideas into practice right now.
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Pick one thing.
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Maybe it's a challenge, a negative thought, or taking a small step towards a goal you have been putting off.
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And commit to doing it today.
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Tell yourself, I'm capable and I'm worthy and I can handle this.
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And remember, you are not alone.
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Fear is something all we share.
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We can all learn to manage it better.
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In fact, if you want to share your experience, drop me a message on social media or send me an email at activeactionpodcast.com.
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Let me know what you're working on, what fears you're tackling, and how you're building that confidence muscle.
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I'd love to hear your stories and cheer you on.
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And if you have a successful story on how you overcome your fear, then I invite you to be a guest on my podcast.
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Maybe we can sit together, chat and inspire others.
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Thank you so much for spending this time with me on this episode of the Active Action Podcast.
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I hope today's episode inspires you to take that brave next step.
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If you found it helpful, please share it with a friend.
00:19:01
Leave a review, subscribe and follow so that you don't miss future episodes packed with insights and encouragement.
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Until next time, keep challenging yourself, keep learning.
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And remember, fear might be loud, but your courage is always louder.
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Thank you again. I'm Dr. Nazif. I'll meet with you in the next episode.
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Take care till then.
00:19:25
Thank you for joining us on the Active Action Podcast.
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We hope today's episode gave you some entertainment, fresh perspectives, and a little extra motivation to take action in your own life.
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Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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And if you enjoyed the show, share it with someone who might love it too.
00:19:42
For more episodes and updates, head over to ActiveActionPodcast.com.
00:19:47
Until next time, keep smiling, stay inspired and keep making your mark.
00:19:51
This is the Active Action Podcast, signing off.