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How to Achieve Full Potential and Reach Your Goals
Do You Fear Rejection?
When we are struck with the fear of rejection, we become convinced that people won’t accept or approve of us due to our opinions, looks, personality, values, beliefs, or behavior. Now that’s a tough way to move through the world, isn’t it?
How can we overcome our fear of rejection? For some people, the idea of somebody telling them “No!” is so painful they’ll freeze up and refuse to take action toward success rather than risk hearing that scary word. Why is this? Perhaps somebody who you really liked or loved or highly respected told you no at one point. Perhaps they not only told you no, but they also gave you a harsh no that badly hurt your feelings.
How Fear of Rejection Can Stop You from Reaching Your Potential
One thing is clear, fear of rejection can negatively influence your daily decisions, choices, and actions. In fact, while under the influence of this fear, you will do things you won’t normally do if you didn’t fear rejection.
- It keeps you from sharing your opinions. You hold back because you fear people will disapprove or disagree with you.
- It leads you to copy the behavior of other people. You become afraid to be different or unique.
- It ties your personal fulfillment to external factors. Your emotional experiences are literally tied to other people’s comments, criticism, feelings, or praise.
These circumstances can stop you from discovering your innate skills and truly reaching your full potential. Ask yourself: will you be able to achieve success and your most important goals by getting scared of what other people think of you?
Examine Yourself and Work Toward a Better You
Consider how this is playing out in your life. How are you holding back or shrinking? What are you avoiding? What are you denying yourself? How are you limiting your life because your fear of rejection is more powerful than your desires?
Are you ignoring the desire to change careers? Tell someone you care? Move to a new city? Ask for a raise?
These questions can help with seeing the potential in someone, most especially yourself. The more you examine yourself, the more you will be able to realize which aspect of your life makes you scared. Then, you can gather your courage and face your fears.
Where in your life is the fear of rejection limiting your potential to be your best self? If you continue down this path, you purposefully set yourself up for a life full of regret. Having potential means nothing if you continue to be scared. You CAN choose to combat your fear of rejection and live life to your full potential. You already hold all the wisdom, strength, and confidence you need to create whatever vision you have for your life. Ignore what others are saying — find your courage and take a step! You’re up to the challenge!
What fears do you want to shed to reach your full potential? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next: Aspire To Be Your Best
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 17, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.