When our fears start to limit what we do in life we need to acknowledge and conquer those fears. This is especially true if a fear we may have is showing up as a limiting behavior for us and thereby preventing us from taking full advantage of new opportunities in our lives.
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. ~Marie Curie
With awareness, fears can be faced, dealt with, and eliminated. Oftentimes, what we resist persists and the more we resist facing the fears we may have, the more those fears will continue to disrupt and control our lives.
There's nothing to fear but fear itself~ Danny Elfman
The first step is that of coming to terms with, or acknowledging the fear you feel you have. It has been said that 'fear dances with courage' and sometimes it takes more than a small amount of courage to admit that something makes you fearful. Writing your fears down is a powerful form of personal acknowledgment. Make a detailed list of those things that frighten you. No one needs to see the list other than you and there are no right or wrong answers. If you are afraid of it, put it on your list.
Next, think about why you have the fear from a detached stance. Try to remember a specific incident that might have caused the fear. Maybe your fear of flying stemmed from being on a turbulent flight. Perhaps your fear of the water came about from being caught in an undertow as a child and not being able to surface for air immediately. Write this down in as much detail as possible. This is not an exercise in re-living those fears, it is merely a matter of bringing the fears to light, on paper, in your words in a present and safe place. If you find you have blocked out memories because they're too painful to remember, please consult a professional who can help you reach those memories and decipher their meaning. There is no shame is seeking assistance in healing those areas which are painful to you, whether the pain stems from a physical or a mental place.
Be patient with yourself and be prepared to do some work because, just as the fear took time to manifest, it will take time to conquer. By facing your fears and finding ways to overcome them, you will gain confidence and likewise open up your life to many more amazing and often unexpected opportunities.
Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile... initially scared me to death. ~Betty Bender
Stepping forward in small ways will make large cumulative changes in your self-esteem over time. Start now, one step at a time. Take control of your life and take action and move forward. If not now, then when?