Life Lessons—Facing Fear and Finding Freedom

by Reba J. Hoffman, Ph.D.

Your book is your baby - learn to get past the fear!

You’ve written a story. Maybe it’s great. Perhaps not, but it’s your baby. You know you should go to a writer’s conference to meet editors and agents. There’s just one thing that stands in your way: A HUGE wall of fear.

I’ve heard it over and over. It’s a frightening experience to display your manuscript in front of literary professionals. What’s worse, you’ve been conditioned to avoid things you fear. After all, they’re dangerous, right?

In my new book, FacingFear and Finding Freedom, I point out that an overwhelming percentage of all the things we fret about never come to pass. We worry needlessly. Most writers run the other way when they feel the fear. Bad move.

When you set a writing goal and begin to move forward with it, fear will always show up. Sooner or later you’ll get those uncomfortable waves of anxiety. Everything within you naturally tells you to retreat and find safer ground.

Learn to harness fear and use its energy to propel you
forward to success!

Trust me. It’s happened to me more times than I can count. Early in my life I missed out on great things because I ran when fear showed up. I’ll never forget the day I realized the pattern. From that day on when fear showed up—and it always does—I just simply said, “There you are. I’ve been expecting you.”

Fear is a powerful force. Like a horse, let it be in control and it will take you places you never intended to ride. But it really is possible to harness that fear and use its energy to propel you forward to success.

That the fear you experience is by God’s design. Even though it isn’t comfortable, that feeling of anxiety signals that your body is gearing up for the challenge that lies ahead as you pursue your dreams.

Facing Fear and finding Freedom:
Unleash the Power to Live Your Dreams!

If you run from it, eventually you’ll be fleeing from the fear of fear, rather than the fear of pitching to an agent. You’ll be running from a ghost.

Take control of your life and dream of being a published author. Face the fear and find the freedom you need to succeed. Let fear take you where you want to be. Don’t fight it. Face it. Embrace it and let it move you forward.

If you haven’t already grabbed your copy of FacingFear and Finding Freedom, I urge you to. You’ll find strength and courage in it. I think you’ll be glad you did.

When was the last time you were fearful about your writing dream? How did you handle it? Share it here!

Reba J. Hoffman is the founder and president of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is a natural encourager. She serves as Member Care Coach for My Book Therapy and is the author of Dare to Dream, A Writer’s Journal. You can connect with Reba through her motivational blog, Finding True North, or by email at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @RebaJHoffman.