Facing Fear
I came across a quote in my local newspaper today that connected with me. It is attributed to Renata Adler an American writer. The quote read “Fear is forward. No one is afraid of yesterday.” When I first read it, I thought about many of those I work with in job search. Often we enter each other’s life, when they are moving forward into an uncertain future. Questions my clients often ask themselves are “Will there be a company that hires me?” or they may say, “Is anyone hiring someone with my skill sets?” And, while I realize they may have to go through a journey to find out the answers to these questions, and make decisions along the way as to how they will navigate to the next thing they do in their life, the fear of the unknown, is what grabs hold of them. How hard that fear grabs them often determines their willingness to take action. For some it is harder than others, and certainly if they have not made this journey of job search transition before, it makes it all the more difficult.
About the same time I read the quote, I battled my own fears on an upcoming event in my life. I have travelled on vacation frequently in my life. As such, I have been experienced in packing the things I need for a trip. A month from when I write this, I will be packing for a vacation trip that is a bit different than what I have in the past. It is for an expedition cruise in Alaska. And, while I will be staying on an expedition ship that will not often be very far from shore, and does have modern amenities, I have started to experience fear and panic as to my readiness for this trip. I know for example I will need to either bring or rent gear that is appropriate for a wilderness type environment, (something I have not done before). I know cabin accommodations will be small and tight. Before going to bed last night I started to question, would there be room for the C-PAP machine that I use to help support my sleep apnea? What is the right balance as to what to pack and what not to bring? While my wife has more experience with this type of vacation, she is not the planner I am. She will look to just put everything together at the last minute. I feel I need every bit of the upcoming month to prepare.
Before falling asleep last night my fears began getting the best of me. Within the comfort of my own home, I had feelings of imagining our bedroom being smaller than it really is. I was almost afraid at first to fall asleep, wondering if I would ever get up. I started having all sorts of items running through my head about the upcoming journey. Eventually I did get asleep, but even as I awoke today, nagging doubts were running through me. I know it is important to face my fears. And, the best way to do that is to prepare. I have begun a list of items that I believe I need to address before my wife and I leave for the trip. Instead of worrying about them, I know I need to begin addressing them. Some involve assessing what clothing for example I may already have which is appropriate for the trip. While I may need to purchase other items, I have learned that items that are likely ones I will not be using again, can be rented and brought to the ship by a local company to the area. There are contact numbers to where I can ask my questions. The tour company has provided excellent documentation on what to expect.
Will these steps completely alleviate my fears? Likely not 100% so. However, I am finding that in taking action, it has helped calm me down some. I have expressed my concerns to my wife who indicated she realized how much I am stepping out of my comfort zone to take this trip in the style she is looking forward to do so. I guess I am finding that steps I often share and stress with job searchers, Assessing What It Is You Want To Do or Will Be Doing, Researching It (Both By Looking Things Up and By Asking Questions of Those Available to You), Targeting the Things You Will Want to Do as Part of This Process, and those You Do Not, are part of the way for me to get past my fears.
What may be something about which you are feeling fear? Are you letting the fear paralyze you and stop you from moving forward? Or are you looking to find ways to face and address the fear, and getting help to do so, if necessary? It is the rare person that does not face fear in their life, (even those who may not readily admit it). Coming to grips with that reality, and taking steps that will lessen the fear and provide you comfort as to what you will do, and what you will not, is the challenge to accept.
