How to overcome your fears

1. Visualize
Visualization is not only for athletes. It's been shown through studies that imagery helps us gain confidence. 

So how do you use guided imagery to overcome your fears? 
 Write down the specific details of your fear. 

Use all your senses to imagine this situation. Imagine the sounds and smells surrounding you. The idea is that you will access all the details of this feared situation. As you close your eyes, see yourself feeling confident. What does your posture show about your confidence? Imagine yourself handling the situation smoothly, whether you are using words and performing an action.

2. What's the worst that could happen?
Detail the worst scenario. Elaborating upon our fears can elicit the underlying issue related to our fear. Maybe it's the fear of being alone or the fear of not trying. Writing down these fears can take the power out of it. 

3. Write a list of skills and apply them to your fear.
You're right--the worst scenario might be downright awful. It's hard when we don't know how things will turn out, but acknowledging that we have the courage and skills to get through this situation can alleviate some of our concerns. If you want to get extra credit, write about past experiences didn't go "well" and write about what you did to overcome these difficult circumstances. Reflecting upon our growth and our resources can help us work through our fears.