Have you ever ever observed how typically concern holds us again from getting what we really need?
It typically retains us from attempting in any respect, makes us self-sabotage even after we do strive.
And it comes up a LOT.
It’s additionally a phenomenon that has fascinated me for a very long time—a lot in order that I spent greater than TWO YEARS researching all of the ways in which concern holds us again and surveying greater than 4,000 ladies, after which wrote a e-book about it referred to as Do It Scared.
And whereas lately I spend a number of my time serving to ladies over 40 shed some pounds and get wholesome, I’ve discovered that that underlying concern problem by no means actually goes away.
It holds us again from reaching our well being objectives in most of the similar methods it holds us again from a number of different issues in life.
And so right this moment, I wished to speak about that. overcome your concern of failure and really take management of your well being for good. I wish to discuss why that concern occurs and what it seems to be like, and most significantly what you possibly can really do about it.
It’s a strong matter, and one I hope has an enduring affect on you, perhaps even in additional methods than simply your well being. So let’s dig in!

The reality is that the concern of failure is a really actual factor, and it’s one thing that holds a number of us again from pursuing our objectives and goals, particularly in terms of one thing as private and emotional as our well being and weight reduction journey. And it’s not simply the concern of failing, but in addition the concern of what that failure may imply, and the way it may make us really feel about ourselves.
It’s the concern of not being ok, or of not having the ability to do it, or of not having what it takes. It’s the concern of wanting silly, or of being judged, or of disappointing the folks we care about. It’s the concern of change, and of the unknown, and of stepping out of our consolation zones. And it’s the concern of shedding management, and of not having the ability to return to the way in which issues have been.
And all of that concern could be extremely paralyzing, and might hold us caught in the identical patterns and behaviors, even after we know they’re not serving us. It may hold us from even getting began, or from taking the mandatory steps to make actual progress. It may hold us from asking for assist, or from admitting that we want it. It may hold us from being trustworthy with ourselves, and from actually wanting on the underlying points which might be holding us again.
And it could hold us from being prepared to strive one thing new, or from being open to a special approach of doing issues. It may hold us from being prepared to spend money on ourselves, or from placing within the effort and time that’s required to see actual outcomes. It may hold us from being prepared to be affected person, and to know that this can be a journey, and that it’s not all the time going to be simple.
However most of all, it could hold us from believing in ourselves, and from realizing that we’re able to a lot greater than we expect. And that, to me, is the saddest a part of all.
As a result of the truth is that failure is part of life. It’s one thing that all of us expertise at one time or one other, and it’s one thing that may really be a really highly effective device for progress and studying, if we’re prepared to let it.
And probably the most profitable folks on this planet—the folks we admire and look as much as—are those who’ve failed probably the most, and who’ve been prepared to maintain going, and to maintain attempting, even when issues didn’t work out the way in which that they had hoped.
However it’s not simply well-known individuals who dare to fail. It’s folks in our on a regular basis lives. It’s the ladies in my program—a few of whom I’ve interviewed on my Reside Higher. Reside Free. podcast—who’re daring to push previous their concern and really take management of their well being.
They’re those who’ve been prepared to take dangers, and to step outdoors of their consolation zones. They’re those who’ve been prepared to face their fears, and to not allow them to maintain them again. They’re those who’ve been prepared to ask for assist, and to encompass themselves with individuals who can assist and encourage them. They’re those who’ve been prepared to be trustworthy with themselves, and to take , exhausting have a look at what’s not working, and to make the mandatory adjustments.
They’re those who’ve been prepared to strive one thing new, and to be open to a special approach of doing issues. They’re those who’ve been prepared to spend money on themselves. And so they’re those who’ve been prepared to be affected person, and to know that success doesn’t occur in a single day, and that it’s the small, constant steps that we take day by day that add as much as huge outcomes over time.
However most of all, they’re those who’ve been prepared to imagine in themselves, and in their very own capability to create the life that they need. They’re those who’ve been prepared to alter their mindset, and to let go of all of the limiting beliefs and unfavourable self-talk that have been holding them again. They’re those who’ve been prepared to take management of their very own ideas and feelings, and to not let concern and self-doubt get in the way in which of their objectives and goals.
And that, my pals, is the important thing to overcoming the concern of failure—altering your mindset and the story you’re telling your self. As a result of the truth is that we are sometimes our personal worst enemy, and that the issues we inform ourselves every day can have a huge effect on our capability to succeed.
And if you happen to’re struggling to beat that concern of failure, and to alter your mindset in a approach that can mean you can really make progress towards your well being and weight reduction objectives, then I wish to share a number of sensible methods with you right this moment that I believe could be actually useful.
However earlier than we dive into that, I wish to take a fast second to remind you that if you happen to’re new to this weblog and to the Thinlicious model, and also you’re in search of a greater option to shed some pounds and get wholesome that really works, then it is best to positively contemplate becoming a member of me for my subsequent free dwell workshop. I host these fairly usually, and it’s an ideal probability to find out how our system works and the way to get began, but it surely’s additionally an superior alternative to ask all of your questions and get solutions in actual time. And once more, it’s completely free to affix however you do should register, so you possibly can go do this HERE.
Okay, so with that out of the way in which, let’s go forward and dive into the great things, and discuss FEAR and the way it is perhaps holding you again in terms of attaining your well being and weight reduction objectives, after which discuss some sensible methods for overcoming concern in a approach that can mean you can really make actual progress.
What Concern Seems Like
So what does concern actually seem like?
Effectively, to be trustworthy—and that is one thing I realized in additional than 2 years of analysis for my e-book Do It Scared—concern really seems to be slightly bit completely different for everybody.
In the event you’ve learn that e-book, you already know I launched a mannequin I name the 7 concern archetypes, which is mainly the seven distinctive ways in which concern tends to manifest in our life.
And perceive, after I discuss concern, I’m not speaking about PHOBIAS—the concern of snakes or the concern of flying. I’m speaking about that deep inner concern—the type that holds us again from getting what we really need.
So what does this seem like for various folks? Effectively, it comes again to the Concern Archetypes
Procrastination
First, there’s Procrastination.
The PROCRASTINATOR concern archetype is also called the Perfectionist.
And if you happen to’re a perfectionist, you in all probability already know that about your self—and also you may even see it as a supply of satisfaction, not realizing that each one these perfectionist tendencies are literally a type of FEAR, since you use your want for every thing to be excellent as a cause to not do it in any respect.
You’re the sort of one that usually spend a number of time doing analysis or getting organized, and doubtless end up stalling and discovering different issues to do reasonably than that one factor you actually wish to be doing. You’re the one which’s doubtless carried out allllll the analysis and skim allllll the eating regimen books and listened to allllll the podcasts, as a result of studying and listening feels safer than really beginning.
You simply by no means fairly really feel READY. However what you’re REALLY afraid of constructing a mistake, which it’s so exhausting to get going. As a result of now you’re overwhelmed with info overload and what if you happen to make the improper selection, or worse but, what if you happen to fail?
So it’s simpler simply to not start.
And it is best to know that this concern archetype—the Procrastinator/Perfectionist—is definitely the commonest of ALL the concern archetypes. About 40% of the inhabitants have this one as their major archetype. So if that is you, you’re positively NOT alone.
Individuals Pleasing
However subsequent up is one thing referred to as PEOPLE PLEASING.
And the concern that holds a Individuals Pleaser again isn’t essentially the concern of constructing a mistake, however the concern of being judged, or letting folks down. You care a LOT about what folks suppose, and typically wrestle with boundaries or saying no.
So if you happen to’re a folks pleaser, this can be affecting your well being and weight reduction journey in plenty of other ways. For one, you may really feel embarrassed or ashamed of what different folks may suppose if you happen to begin one other new eating regimen or weight reduction program. Or perhaps you’re frightened that you just’ll be judged for following a plan that so many individuals—due to all of the lies we’ve been informed for thus lengthy about what’s wholesome and what’s not—and also you’re frightened about having to justify your self.
And truthfully, I’ve seen this with plenty of our shoppers—family and friends get REALLY judgy once they understand one thing as being “outdoors the norm.” And it may be exhausting. And if you happen to’re a folks pleaser, it’s REALLY exhausting. Or perhaps, since you’re a folks pleaser, you simply can’t appear to make it previous these social conditions the place you’re with different folks and going through the peer strain to bask in all of the issues that obtained you to this place within the first place. Possibly you do okay by yourself, otherwise you really feel dedicated, however the second you’re in that social state of affairs, it feels IMPOSSIBLE to face up for your self. Since you don’t wish to harm any emotions or make anybody mad.
And it may not look like that is concern holding you again, however it’s, typically in a extremely huge approach.
Rule Following
Or perhaps you’re extra of a Rule Follower Archetype. Because of this for you, there’s nearly all the time a course of that must be adopted, and it makes you uncomfortable to stray from that path. You don’t even prefer it when different folks step outdoors the strains. You’re the sort of one that all the time learn the instruction guide from begin to end, and if you happen to’re cooking a recipe, you observe it to the letter.
The excellent news for a rule follower is that if you happen to’re given the appropriate algorithm and directions to observe, you’ll most probably excel. The truth is, in all of my packages, I discover that a lot of my most profitable shoppers are Rule Followers, as a result of they do the work.
However the PROBLEM for Rule Followers, in terms of fashionable well being and weight reduction, is that SO MANY of the principles you’ve been given are whole BS.
For all these years we’ve been informed all these items like if you wish to shed some pounds that you must eat much less and train extra, and simply rely your energy, and eat much less fats and extra entire grains. And so that you’re following all the principles, however they’re the WRONG RULES.
And but you possibly can can’t allow them to go as a result of it’s what your physician and all of the consultants hold saying. The concern of breaking out of that “typical knowledge” and going towards what you understand because the “proper approach” to do issues is totally holding you again. In order that’s the Rule Follower.
Concern of Rejection
After which there’s the OUTCAST. And if you happen to’re an outcast, then I can positively relate as a result of that’s my #1 concern archetype as properly. However if you happen to’re an outcast like me, then your largest concern is usually the concern of being rejected.
And which may sound slightly bit just like the folks pleaser’s concern of being judged or not being favored, however the way in which that it MANIFESTS is definitely very completely different. You see, outcasts are likely to manifest that deep concern of rejection by rejecting different folks and concepts FIRST, earlier than we could be rejected in return. It’s nearly like a pre-emptive strike or a safety mechanism.
On the floor, it looks as if we actually don’t care what different folks suppose. However we really care very deeply. Rejecting the world or the issues which may work for us means not having to face rejection. In any case, it’s approach simpler to say one thing like “Keto is dumb, everyone seems to be doing it, it’s simply one other fad eating regimen that received’t really work for me.” then threat taking the motion and having it not really change the deeper points which might be inflicting your unhappiness. We additionally are likely to reject something that seems like it could make us susceptible or require us to place ourselves on the market ultimately.
In order that’s the Outcast.
Self-Doubt
Subsequent up is a giant one—SELF DOUBT.
And it’s not exhausting to see how this may hold you caught, particularly in terms of well being and weight reduction, as a result of if you’re a self-doubter you’re already scuffling with deep feeling of insecurity and a concern of not being ok. You might have hassle believing that you’re really able to making actual and optimistic adjustments in you life, and that makes it actually, actually exhausting to search out any motivation to get began.
You’re the one that would by no means in 1,000,000 years dream of taking a “earlier than” image and sharing it within the Fb group, as a result of your self-criticism could be off the charts. However you additionally end up feeling crucial of the folks round you—perhaps even the individuals who DO publish these pictures of themselves. The truth is, typically your tendency to be tremendous crucial places a pressure in your relationships as a result of the folks round you’re feeling like you’re all the time choosing on them. However actually it comes from that deep feeling of insecurity and never being sufficient that weighs on you on a regular basis.
In order that’s the Self Doubter.
Making Excuses
After which there’s the EXCUSE MAKER Concern Archetype. And we are able to in all probability all consider no less than one particular person we all know who matches this description proper?
However mainly the excuse maker all the time has an excuse, a cause for why they’ll’t get began, or—within the case of well being and weight reduction—and excuse for WHY you’ve gained weight and why nothing you strive will really give you the results you want. Possibly it’s a thyroid problem. Possibly it’s hormones. Possibly it’s genetics. Possibly it’s the truth that you simply don’t have time or you’ve gotten meals sensitivities. Possibly it’s kind 2 diabetes. Or autoimmune. Or arthritis. Otherwise you’re too outdated. Or your husband doesn’t assist you. Otherwise you journey an excessive amount of. Or. Or. Or. As a result of there’s all the time an excuse.
For for the excuse maker, the deep underlying concern is the concern of taking accountability or being blamed. Typically this goes all the way in which again to childhood trauma with dad and mom who always blamed you for issues. However it’s this nearly visceral response to the concept of taking possession on your personal life and your individual well being, and it retains you caught in excuse land the place you by no means should take the blame for a way issues have turned out.
However on the finish of the day, even excuse continues to be an excuse.
In order that’s the excuse maker.
Pessimism
After which lastly, there’s the PESSIMIST Concern Archetype.
And if you happen to’ve skilled a number of hardship and adversity in your life, or you’re at the moment going via a very exhausting season the place you’ve had some fairly huge challenges or trauma—perhaps a divorce or a job loss or the loss of life of somebody near you, you is perhaps figuring out as a Pessimist.
As a result of if you get into pessimist mode, mainly your largest concern is experiencing extra ache and adversity. For you, each alternative feels too dangerous. It’s nearly such as you simply utterly shut down and also you’re reluctant to TRY as a result of every thing in life seems like a chance to get harm once more. In essence, you’ve given up.
And never surprisingly, of all of the seven archetypes, that is in all probability the HARDEST concern to work via and overcome, since you’re simply in such a darkish place. That stated, of all of the 7 concern archetypes, that is additionally the one that’s most probably to be a short lived season—typically a time the place that you must give your self a number of grace, however in all probability additionally get some assist.
In order that’s the Pessimist, and people are the 7 concern archetypes—the seven ways in which concern tends to point out up in our lives.
And it’s necessary to know too, that these can present up in tandem or in a mix of some completely different concern archetypes. Some folks might need one that’s completely dominant, however most individuals expertise slightly little bit of a number of of those. However every particular person is slightly bit distinctive—it’s like you’ve gotten your individual concern fingerprint.

Overcome Your Concern of Failure
So the query then turns into—what are you able to really do about it?
How do you overcome the concern or fears which might be holding you again and really take motion in your life. How do you not let these fears eat you, and hold you from getting what you really need?
Establish Your Concern Archetype
Effectively, imagine it or not, step one is definitely to only determine and acknowledge the way in which that concern is displaying up for you—to actually shine a lightweight on the way in which concern is manifesting in your life proper now, and within the methods it’s holding you again. It’s nearly like a reputation it and declare it kinda factor. It’s important to know what you’re working with.
And by the way in which, if you wish to really take my concern evaluation to find out YOUR concern archetype, you will discover it at DoItScared.com. It’s fairly enlightening, to say the least.
However the necessary factor to know is which you can really do one thing about it.
Your concern, nonetheless it’s at the moment manifesting in your life, doesn’t HAVE to carry you again. All that issues is that you just determine it. Once more, as a result of all of this concern I simply talked about occurs subconsciously, beneath the floor, with out actually realizing that’s what’s occurring, and even realizing that sure behaviors are literally concern manifesting in very actual and damaging methods.
However as quickly as you can begin to determine these patterns of conduct in your individual life, THAT is when you possibly can really change them. What was SUBconscious turns into aware. You really SEE it occurring.
However what’s extra, you start to appreciate you’ve gotten the facility to CHOOSE one thing completely different.
And that’s the place the mindset shift begins to occur. As a substitute of being subconsiously managed by concern, you begin to see how you should utilize it as a device for progress. All of us have our distinctive set of fears and insecurities that maintain us again, however if you happen to can be taught to lean into them as an alternative of run away from them, you possibly can grow to be stronger and extra resilient.
As a result of the truth is that every Concern Archetype is a double edged sword. There’s part of it that holds you again, however each additionally has strengths related to it.
In the event you’re a procrastinator, you’re afraid of constructing a mistake, sure, however you additionally are likely to have an ideal consideration to element and are sometimes extremely meticulous and arranged.
In the event you’re a folks pleaser, you search approval, however you’re additionally usually an ideal particular person to be round—considerate, well-liked, and enjoyable.
In the event you’re a rule follower, you will get caught in black & white considering, however you’re additionally extremely diligent and accountable.
In the event you’re an outcast, you concern rejection, however you’re additionally typically an unbiased thinker with a number of drive.
In the event you’re a self-doubter, you possibly can wrestle with insecurity, however you’re additionally extremely empathetic.
By understanding your individual concern archetype, you possibly can really begin to use it as gasoline to achieve your objectives, as an alternative of letting it hold you caught.
And that mindset shift, in and of itself, could be extremely motivating.
In order that’s step one—that you must do some introspective work to truly decide how concern is displaying up in your life, and the way it’s at the moment holding you again.
Get Clear About Your Why
The subsequent step, then, is to get actually clear in your WHY. As a result of the reality is that in case your causes for desirous to shed some pounds and get wholesome aren’t sturdy sufficient, then it’s going to be very simple to let concern and self-doubt get in the way in which of your objectives.
However you probably have a powerful, compelling cause WHY you wish to do that, then that may be a really highly effective motivator, and one thing that can show you how to hold going, even when issues get powerful.
So take a while to actually take into consideration and get clear in your WHY. Why is that this necessary to you? What’s going to reducing weight and getting wholesome mean you can do or have or be that you just’re not at the moment capable of do or have or be? How will your life be completely different? How will you’re feeling? And the way will NOT making a change affect you in the long term?
And after you have that WHY, write it down and hold it someplace the place you possibly can see it day by day. Remind your self of it typically, and use it as motivation to maintain going, even when issues get exhausting.
That is one thing we positively concentrate on in Section Zero of our TAS program, simply because we all know how necessary it’s. As a result of with out that huge WHY, it’s too simple to give up. Or to not start.
It’s important to need it greater than you’re petrified of it.
In order that’s step two—get clear about your why.

Take Small Steps within the Proper Path
The third step is to start out small, and to concentrate on taking small, constant steps in the appropriate course. As a result of the truth is that huge objectives could be very overwhelming, and might typically really feel thus far out of attain that it’s exhausting to even know the place to start out. And that’s when concern and self-doubt can begin to creep in, and might hold us from taking any motion in any respect.
However on the similar time, ACTION is actually the ANTIDOTE to concern. It’s the remedy.
And so if you happen to can take ANY motion, ANY step in the appropriate course, it would assist construct your confidence and braveness, and assist propel you to the subsequent step.
The reality is that you just don’t should do it all of sudden. You don’t have to alter your total life in a single day. You simply have to start out. And one of the best ways to do this is to start out small, and to concentrate on making small, sustainable adjustments which you can really persist with.
So as an alternative of attempting to overtake your total eating regimen and train routine all of sudden, begin by making one small change. Possibly that’s reducing out soda, or including extra water to your day, or going for a ten minute stroll after dinner. Or perhaps it’s simply taking the time to trace what you’re consuming, so as to begin to grow to be extra conscious of your habits and the place you may have the ability to make some adjustments. Or perhaps it’s simply SHOWING UP to that dwell workshop I informed about and daring to ask a query.
After which, when you’ve gotten snug with that one change, add one other one. After which one other one. And earlier than you already know it, all of these small adjustments will begin to add as much as huge outcomes. However the hot button is to start out small, and to concentrate on taking small, constant steps in the appropriate course.
Get Assist
The fourth step for overcoming concern is to be prepared to ask for assist, and to not be afraid to hunt out the assist and sources that that you must achieve success. As a result of the truth is that you just don’t have to do that alone, and there are such a lot of folks on the market who wish to show you how to and assist you in your journey.
Principally, encompass your self with individuals who will inspire you to maintain taking motion!
And if you happen to’re studying this weblog, then you definately’re already taking an ideal first step, as a result of there’s a lot helpful info and inspiration right here that may show you how to get began. However don’t be afraid to hunt out different sources as properly. Whether or not that’s discovering an accountability companion, or becoming a member of our TAS program, or working with a coach or a private coach, and even simply discovering some good books or podcasts that may show you how to change your mindset and keep motivated.
There is no such thing as a disgrace in asking for assist, and actually, it may be a really highly effective option to overcome the concern of failure, as a result of it permits you to encompass your self with individuals who can assist and encourage you, and who will help you keep on monitor.
Be Trustworthy With Your self
The fourth step for overcoming concern is to be prepared to be trustworthy with your self, and to take , exhausting have a look at what’s not working in your life proper now. As a result of the truth is that if you happen to hold doing the identical stuff you’ve all the time carried out, then you definately’re going to maintain getting the identical outcomes. And if you happen to’re not pleased with these outcomes, then one thing has to alter.
So be trustworthy with your self. Take , exhausting have a look at your present habits and behaviors, and on the issues that is perhaps holding you again. And be prepared to make a change. As a result of the reality is that you’re the one one who has the facility to alter your life. Nobody else can do it for you.
Change Your Self Speak
And at last, the sixth and ultimate step for overcoming concern in your life—and doubtless additionally the toughest one—is to be prepared to alter your mindset, and to let go of all of the limiting beliefs and unfavourable self-talk which might be holding you again. As a result of the truth is that we are sometimes our personal worst enemy, and that the issues we inform ourselves every day can have a huge effect on our capability to succeed.
So be prepared to alter your mindset. Be prepared to problem these limiting beliefs, and to exchange them with extra optimistic, empowering ideas. And be prepared to be form to your self, and to observe self-compassion, and to not let concern and self-doubt get in the way in which of your objectives and goals.
And like I stated, this one isn’t simple, which is why it’s so necessary to encompass your self with the appropriate individuals who even have the appropriate mindset. Actually, it’s why focus SO MUCH on mindset in our program, why it’s not nearly providing you with a meal plan and sending you in your approach.
As a result of we all know that true change takes time, and it occurs as a lot with the story you’re telling your self because it does with altering what you eat.
As a result of the reality is that you’re able to a lot greater than you suppose. You might have the facility to alter your life, and to create the life that you really want. You simply should be prepared to take that first step, and to not let the concern of failure maintain you again.
Closing ideas
So there you’ve gotten it—the seven concern archetypes and the six sensible steps you possibly can take to truly overcome your concern of failure or getting began in a approach that can mean you can really make progress towards your well being and weight reduction objectives.
And whereas I do know that it’s not all the time simple, and that there’ll nonetheless be days if you wrestle, I additionally know that it’s potential. I do know that as a result of I’ve been there, and I’ve struggled with all of these items too. And but, I’ve additionally been capable of overcome them, and to create a sustainable, wholesome way of life that works for me.
And if I can do it, then I do know which you can too. So don’t let concern maintain you again. Take that first step. And hold going, one small step at a time.
