I’ve written a bit about fear lately, and after posting the previous article on fear being a myth, I thought I’d share a bit more. It’s a peculiar thing. Fear is something almost every single person deals with, and yet most of the time we don’t recognize that it’s a choice. Fear is a choice we have ultimate control over, and one that could define a few different outcomes.

Fear is a choice.

Fear is a choice because it resides in our own minds. Which means that we hold the keys to unlocking the prison that fear places us in. In fact it’s not actually a prison at all, it’s freedom! But the first step of controlling this paralyzing fear, is to recognize that we hold those keys.

Too often, we allow ourselves to focus on questions that focus on our fear. Like these: 

• What if no one likes what I create?
• What if I don’t like what we create?
• What if this doesn’t work?
• What if I loose all my money? My job? My reputation?

Instead, what if we focused on the people that your creativity, project, business or idea will benefit. Or focusing on the positive outcomes that will come from stepping into your creative calling? When we do that, these will become the thins we become focused on: 

• The person who your art may make whole.
• The community who may experience transformation through your craftsmanship.
• The story that will be told when you step into transparency and authenticity.
• The relational impact that may result of your creativity.

You get a choice. To choose the fear that will paralyze us? or step into the unknown of the potential impact you may provide someone else? It’s weird trying to recognize the fact that fear is a choice, because we don’t think we have control over it. But simply choosing to see the other side of fear, is exactly what allows us to not be owned by it’s position in our hearts and minds.

I want every single creative leader or thinker to be able to overcome their fear, because that’s when we’ll begin to step into your God-Given potential. it’s also what will increase your perseverance, your endurance and your grit. Just as James says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Lets find that pure joy, and choose fear to be something we have control over. The more we recognize it’s a choice, the more we’ll be able to overcome it’s power on our creative process. And in the end, we’ll see our God-Given potential!

P.s. This is a concept I write about in my latest book, Creative Potential. Click here to learn more about the book.