How to overcome Your Learned Fear

The key to overcoming your learned fear

 How to offset your learned fear response

Growing up in an Italian family, one of my favorite meals was stuffed artichokes.  My mother would make a breaded stuffing, push it down between the artichoke leaves, steam cook the artichoke and it became one of the courses of the meal.  I remember enjoying eating the stuffing and the bottom of the outer petals but most of all, I enjoyed the   artichoke heart.  I had to clear away the inner petals and what is called the choke.  But put some salt on the heart and I would consume it.  One day, being a little kid, I ate this favorite meal and then for some reason developed a sour stomach. The contents of my stomach went up rather than down.  My mind associated that discomfort with the artichokes and I didn’t touch them for years.

Sometimes our fears are learned in the same way.  Sometimes fears are reasonable.  It is reasonable to fear jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet without a parachute.  On the other hand, doing so with a qualified instructor and a certified chute is one of the most exhilarating experiences I have had.  Unreasonable fears are often based on beliefs generated from prior actions and they can be overcome.

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Action Time!

The rule of thumb is that when you fall off a bike or horse, it is important to get back on quickly to offset the learned fear response.  I often find some of these old remedies become common sense but actually were the observation of a skilled eye or many skilled eyes over many generations.  It holds true here.  If the conditions are really safe and the incident was just an incident, then getting back in the saddle as soon as possible is a means of overcoming learned fear.

Sometimes the solution is to slowly overcome the fear by taking “baby steps.” (Think about What About Bob (movie).  This is mindfully identifying an issue, setting out a plan to gradually get you out of this rut one small step at a time. Experiment with the step size.  Find a small one that works and reward yourself.  Tell a close friend what you are doing and gather some support.  It will build the relationship and move you closer to a goal (win-win!). The process also generates a new path in your brain that you can come back to when the situation arises.  I would look forward to hearing about the issue and what you have done to overcome it.

Did you like this article?  ”Like” it or “Share” it to motivate others. And don’t forget to like me on Facebook>> “Coach Rossitto“

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To Your Success!

Coach Rossitto

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Related articles

• One grain at a time- eliminating a fear (theeducatednannyblog.com)
• Getting Rid Of Fear At Last (ofallblog.wordpress.com)
• Artichoke Adventures (thefitspirationalblonde.wordpress.com)
• 6 ways to overcoming Fear (solaceguidance.wordpress.com)

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

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