This is how to overcome your fear of change

99-SECOND READ

"Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear"

George Addair

Fear stops us making positive changes in our lives. Of course you might not be aware of it, your mind is good at tricking you into thinking you can’t make that change or there are logical reasons why you shouldn’t. In fact, the biggest and most important changes tend to be the scariest and therefore the hardest ones to make.

Why we fear change

We’re hardwired to fear change – it’s an evolutionary survival mechanism that lives in our reptilian brain. Our ancestors learned that if their basic needs were being met (food, shelter, safety) it was safest to stay in one place and stick to their routine. Changing these things exposed them to uncertainty and the unknown – they could find themselves without a reliable food source or vulnerable to predators. They learned to exaggerate the potential dangers of uncertainty and risk in order to survive – hence our strong aversion to leaving our comfort zone and stability behind.

Even when we change something about ourselves – from quitting smoking to changing career – we can feel unsure how it will threaten our identity, therefore triggering our fear of the unknown.

We all perceive, and fear change differently depending on past experiences and how risk-prone or optimistic we are.  

How to overcome your fear of change

Finding the courage to face and overcome the fear of change will benefit you in many ways and allow you to transform yourself or areas of your life for the better.

“Fortune favours the brave”

1. Rationalise by considering that we have things like savings, pensions and insurance to protect our security and welfare. Luckily for us, unlike our ancestors, if we decide to move to a new area or country for a different lifestyle, we most likely won’t run the risk of getting eaten by vicious predators. Change can mean less security, short-term discomfort or less disposable income, but it doesn’t mean death or starvation. In the modern world, there are many variables of change, and fortunately, through planning these can be controlled, predicted and accounted for. 
2. Remind yourself that there are very few things in life that can’t be undone if you really need to. The worst-case scenario often means returning to where you are now, with valuable life experience.
3. Acknowledge that job titles, habits, relationship status or family roles don’t define who we are. Even changing our behaviour – like overcoming negativity, building our self-worth or confidence – doesn’t mean letting go of who you are. We can feel empowered rather than afraid when admitting that we’re flawed and could benefit from changing something about ourselves.
4. Make yourself more motivated by the benefits of change than the fear that is holding you back. Focus on what you will gain, visualise it and write it down, consider everything it will give you. Get the goal clear in your mind and become so excited about the rewards that the fear seems insignificant.



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