Get Out Of Your Own Way

One of the biggest obstacles to our self growth and personal development is.................ourselves!

No, make that THE biggest obstacle.

When we say that we want to make changes, but develop resistance and fear and in doing so an internal battle follows.

It's natural to feel scared and apprehensive when venturing into the unknown, but ultimately living within your comfort zone is all very safe, but not very life enhancing.

Taking risks can bring up a whole host of emotions. But what are e-motions? They are energy in motion. They are the stories we tell ourselves, that's all. What's the difference in feeling scared or excited? Only our interpretation.

Life makeover programmes are very popular in the UK at the moment. The whole theme behind the programmes is that people take risks: in getting back or starting the dating game, clearing their clutter (and all the emotional stuff that they've been hanging onto), change jobs and even being coached within six weeks to do something completely different.

A Barrister is coached to become a DJ, A Choirgirl becomes a rock musician. A Radiographer becomes a commercial photographer and fooling the experts who don't realise that they are "novices".

The most moving part of the program is the follow up - often a year later - where the program catches up with the risk takers and find that, as a result of this, their lives have changed immeasurably. Their self perception, self esteem, confidence and overall outlook on life and what they are capable of has changed forever.

Are you avoiding taking risks? Have you got into a rut? Try setting yourself a goal of taking one small (or large - if you're up for it - some people can only get excited and motivated if they've set themselves a BIG challenge) risk for yourself, every week, month, year and follow through.

See what happens. Engage or enlist encouragement and support if you want. But DON'T tie yourself or become overly concerned with the outcome, just taking the risk is enough. Reward yourself appropriately after you've done so.

Our risk taking abilities are like muscles, the more we use them, the stronger we become and fear loses its grip on our lives. The fear never goes away as you take more risks, but it does stop defining your life. Fear is only an indicator that you are growing - it's not meant to stop you in your tracks!

So get out of your own way and stop resisting the changes that you want to make and the risks you are going to take.

Because ultimately.............daring to dream and living a fulfilled life is the biggest risk of all!

Copyright 2004 Julie Plenty

About The Author

Julie Plenty is a Personal and Business Coach who specialises in coaching self employed creative professionals to live more creative, fulfilled lives. To sign up for the Life Design newsletter visit: http://www.self-help-personal-development.com

---

Giving Importance

I call myself semi-retired. I work at a job that takes up 5 hours of my day, 5 days a week. I go home and I lock... Read More

Lisas Christmas

Lisa was born into a loving Christian family and went through life knowing of The Lord and his supreme sacrifice. She was accustomed to Amazing Grace each... Read More

On Sunsets and Telecom

Another perfect sunset seen from Redondo Beach, California. Since arriving here in June I've had the pleasure of watching many sunsets while jogging or walking along the... Read More

A Lesson From A Hum Of A Bamboo Clump

Have you heard a nature hymn? For example, a whir of ting-a-ling-a-ling sound yielded by bamboo leaves when wind blows to its clump? If you have an... Read More

Repeat Offender

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8, 2002I am a 26-year-old escort, in the business on and off since I was 14. I have... Read More

7 Keys for Joyful Living!

Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in your life. If there were one thing I could wish upon my family, friends and the readers... Read More

The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. These are the things that most people talk about when they are speaking of thing of... Read More

In the Eyes of a Child

It was way past 10:00 pm when I came home from a grueling day of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. The wind was rustling about overhead as I... Read More

The Power of Inspiration

INSPIRATION can be a powerful thing. It can keep you going when all around you cries out "quit!" It is even more powerful than motivation,as motivation... Read More

Are You The Master Of Your Destiny?

How strong are you? I'm not asking if you can carry 150 lbs. of weight. What I'm after is your strength of character. How resilient are... Read More

Why Read Inspirational Quotes?

Maybe you've heard this one:"What does it profit a man to have gained the whole world, and to have lost his soul?" - Jesus ChristInspirational quotes and... Read More

Discover Your Passion

What are you passionate about? We didn't ask if you are passionate. But what are you passionate about? What stirs your emotions? What is it you can't... Read More

What Will I Do When I Grow Up? Says The 45 Year Old Woman

I have always rather envied those people who have a burning vocation; they knew the career they wanted to follow and went for it. If, like me,... Read More

Each Moment Is To Be Treasured

Let us grasp and treasure each precious moment of our lives. The previous moment is gone and the next is on its way. In truth, all we... Read More

A Plan Of Attack

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 28, 2002I feel I am at the breaking point. I work at a small school and run the... Read More

Basic Buddhism - Doing What is Right

I find of particular interest in the Eastern Religions many threads that survive in other, later, belief systems. Not only do they survive in textual fact, but... Read More

To Raise Your Frequency, Just Turn on the Joy!

The feeling response to being filled up with Love from your Spirit is joy. Higher frequency energy-Love-activates a joy response in your emotional body. I like to... Read More

Wanna Trade Places?

Even immediately after my car accident, every single person who saw me was pleasantly shocked at how "great" I looked. Funny how much a little concealer and... Read More

What Life is All About?

When we look at lives in any places in this world, we may come to the similar red line. Those lives consist of phases that take living... Read More

Reclaiming Our Resilient Spirit

Our spirits are taking a beating. The daily barrage of bad news, violence, shrinking resources, global warming, and economic slowdown can put us in a state of... Read More

Everyday is a Gift, Open and Enjoy It

There is a bottle of perfume sitting on my dresser that I was given when I was ten years old! As you can tell I have pack... Read More

Nurture Your Heart

Pregnant with her first child, Jill could barely contain her excitement over the dreams and hopes she cherished for her unborn baby, whom she had already named... Read More

How To Be Secure In An Insecure World

Most of us believe that our happiness and security are dependent upon our relationships, work, income and the external events that take place in our lives. When... Read More

Inspiration From Other People - Is It Worth Listening To A Film Star?

Yesterday, I listened to an interview with Michael York, the film star. I listened half-heartedly at first and then with fascination. By the end of the conversation... Read More

Why Buddhism Succeeds - The Right Thing is the Thing to do

The ongoing teachings are exemplified in an understanding and execution of two ideas, which I will briefly describe:Karma: the Buddhist interpretation is in the words and actions... Read More

Mitigating Factors

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 30, 2002I am writing for advice on a personal dilemma of the most personal nature. I am male,... Read More