Comments on: How to Conquer Fear

By: Facing Uncertainty | Fun Life Development

Facing Uncertainty | Fun Life Development — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:06:57 +0000

[...] I covered this in detail in my post How to Conquer Fear. [...]

By: 5 Simple Ways to Reframe a Situation (that make a huge difference) | Fun Life Development

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:07:06 +0000

[...] since then I’ve learned that the best way to build confidence is facing your fears. Nowadays, to me, butterflies in the stomach mean “Yay! Exciting [...]

By: Vlad Dolezal

Vlad Dolezal — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:00:56 +0000

@MPT:

You’re welcome, and I’m glad I could help. The bit about taking action is still up to you of course. I hope it really DOES change your life forever!

By: MPT

MPT — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:49:12 +0000

I love it when I start reading articles like this one and I get the feeling that what I’m about to know is going to change my life forever. Thanks a lot for sharing this Vlad!

By: Free Hugs in Leeds | Fun Life Development

Free Hugs in Leeds | Fun Life Development — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:01:51 +0000

[...] scared like a puppy, is one of the most awesome experiences ever. It’s also the best way to build confidence, as I explain in another [...]

By: Calvin

Calvin — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:41:04 +0000

Very good post! The brain is a weird thing. The truine brain model is indeed an interesting model to describe our thought processes. The neocortex is found in humans as well as mammals and birds. Pretty mysterious as to why we are the way we are. Do other animals have higher brain functions? Why and how are our brains different from other mammals? Our brains is pretty similar to some other animals. Interesting stuff to think about.

By: Polly

Polly — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:25:59 +0000

I love your writing! It is very thought provoking and after reading a post I find I am motivated to both think and behave better than before. Thank you for this.

By: David Portney, Public Speaking "Wizard"

David Portney, Public Speaking "Wizard" — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:59:23 +0000

Vlad, this is a superb article you’ve written here. First you outline the truth about our brain function quite elegantly, then the fact that we can’t “think” our way out of fear, and third that true courage and confidence can come from, very simply, choosing to do the right thing. Excellent!

If I may, I’d like to add a small piece – in one word, it would be “emulation”. You see, we naturally emulate those around us and absorb behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and so on. As adults we can still take advantage of this natural process to increase confidence and conquer fears, such as fear of public speaking. I teach my students this technique in my public speaking trainings and presentation skills drills (I’ve dubbed it “The Hero Process”) and it works wonders for all the reasons you’ve cited in your excellent article here:

What’s really nice about emulation, is that it is taking action in the face of fear, and “borrowing” someone else’s confidence, as it were, which allows us to set up our own very real neural networks in our brain for confidence in this new area.

So, take that action face that fear, and borrow some confidence!

Best,
David Portney