“Action is the antidote to fear.” Read on for actionable steps for overcoming fear that’s holding you back from your goals, and how finding your why crystallizes your purpose.

Today I went on a run that changed my life. Why? Because I listened to a podcast featuring author Ruth Soukup about overcoming fears and finding your why.

Soukup explains on Hal Elrod’s podcast, Achieve Your Goals, the sizable space fear occupies in our lives. However, the most eye-opening new information I took away from the episode was how many masks fear wears.

Fear disguises itself as:

• Procrastination
• Perfectionism
• Doubt
• Even confidence

So many podcasts release a tsunami of information that’s straight up overwhelming and worse, lacking actionable steps. If fear is holding you back in any way, shape or form, even if it’s unnoticeable and you think you’ve got your sh*t figured out, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode.

Related: How Your Environment Influences Your Wellbeing

How is fear holding you back from your goals and dreams?

Personally, I know I’m afraid. Fear is the number one reason why I’m taking so long to finish my book, release my album, and close the chapter on these creative projects I’ve poured my soul into making. Frankly, it’s scary as hell.

I’ve been listening to podcasts, reading blog posts, and seeking bite-sized solutions for how to slay my fear and get over myself. Which is exactly why I wasn’t kidding when I said this episode changed my life.

Overcome Fear by Finding Your Why

In truth, if you’ve read my blog you’ve likely noticed me talk about how finding your WHY is intimidating to the point of inaction. I still believe this to some degree, however, I see now that having a defined WHY can actually help us overcome our fear. That’s because Soukup not only explained the importance of getting in touch with your WHY, but HOW TO DO IT.

So, if you’re on a similar journey and unclear about your WHY here is what Soukup recommends:

1. Allow yourself to dream big – don’t put a cap on your dreams, envision your target, and give yourself permission to make it so extraordinarily magical and outside of the box, only you can achieve it. What are your dreams? Do you want to work remotely doing what you love? Start a blog? Be a keynote speaker? Climb Mt. Everest? Each of our dreams look differently, and so does the fear that prevents us from achieving them.
2. Get in touch with your WHY – What is the catalyst to your seachange? If external circumstances aren’t knocking at your door as your launch pad, create a catalyst. Hire a mentor, listen to podcasts, read inspiring and motivating books, fill your life with useful knowledge and belief systems that highlight the path forward for you.
3. Find a WHY that’s bigger than your fear – The struggle is real with finding your WHY. It’s completely relatable and understandable. So, how do you manufacture a why that’s so important to you that it’s worth pushing past your fears? Find a why that’s bigger than your fear.

When I heard this advice, I had an aha moment. I had to stop running, sit on a bench, look out at the ocean and just take it all in. What is my why? What is the nexus of my creative outlets. What do I believe in so much that I can’t help but pour it into the world?

I believe in helping people reach beyond their inner struggles to live a life of meaning, fulfillment, and compassion. Why is it bigger than my fear? Because my devotion to helping and healing is greater than my fear of failure.

Mind. Explosion.

7 Fear Archetypes

In the episode, Soukup breaks down the many faces of fear in what she classifies as the “Fear Archetypes”. Here’s a glimpse of each one:

1. The Procrastinator/Perfectionist – fear of making mistakes
2. The Rule Follower – fear of authority
3. The People Pleaser – fear of being judged
4. The Outcast – fear of rejection
5. The Self-Doubter – fear of not being good enough
6. The Excuse Maker – fear of accountability
7. The Pessimist – fear of adversity

I’m fairly certain I’m an “Outcast,” but I’m going to order her book, Do It Scared, because it includes the premium assessment, which goes into greater depth on not just your primary fear archetype, but the percentage of other archetypes and how they influence or shape you.

Which one do you think is your fear archetype?

Create A Catalyst and Overcome Fear

Go listen to the podcast, you won’t regret it. Open yourself up to the possibility that finding your why involves listening, reading and seeking wisdom from others.

Looking at ourselves in the mirror is the first step toward progress. Action is the antidote to fear. Often, the hardships in our lives act as catalysts toward greatness. If you don’t see a visible catalyst to propel you past your fears toward your dreams, create one. Tell yourself you deserve to dream outside of the box and live a life you love. Then, go do it. Easier said than done, which why this podcast episode resonated so deeply with me. I’ll leave you with words wiser than my own:

“As soon as you diagnose fear and identify where it’s holding you back, that’s when you can do something about it. Once you recognize the patterns, you’re able to start combating them.”

-Ruth Soukup

3 Actions to Do Right Now To Help With Finding Your Why

1. Listen to the episode, How To Overcome Fear That’s Holding You Back with Ruth Soukup
2. Order Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Adversity, and Create a Life You Love
3. Take the Do It Scared Fear Assessment

Reconnect With Your 2019 Goals

Lastly, what’s going on with your 2019 goals? Need a little help getting back on track? Here’s my guide to slaying your 2019 goals!

There are 6 months left in 2019. That’s 6 months to work on finding your why and changing your life. 6 months to learn a new skill. 6 months to implement a new routine. What will you do with those 6 months? Manifest them. Put them out into the world. Starting with below in the comments! I’m in your corner and you’ve SO got this!