147. The Fakeness of Fearlessly Facing Your Fears

There are many faces of imposter syndrome

I’ve been called a brave person before - a risk-taker. Some have called me an extrovert.

Highly competitive. I get that one as well.

I understand everybody’s perspective.

After all, when there is a new obstacle to overcome, I am first in line. Need somebody to volunteer to lead a risky mission? I’m stepping forward before anybody else has a chance.

I will be the first one teetering on the ropes, 80 feet above the ground. I will be the first to repel down a cliff and, if I had any desire to skydive, I guarantee I’d be first to jump out of the plane.

When I decided to do my first Ironman distance triathlon, I made sure it was the most challenging course available.

That’s just the guy I am.

I’m Not That Guy

You can’t judge a person solely by their actions. It helps to know the underlying reason for those actions.

As for me, I’m a counterphobic.
(Yes, it’s a word. I will tell you what it means in a second.)

I have a higher level of anxiety than the average humanoid. I fear many things that, intellectually, I know should not be feared. Like, for instance, saying hi to people and having a conversation. I have anxiety over that.

Am I alone here?

The Two Roads From Fear

We all have fears and weaknesses. It’s part of being human. The decision we have is how we want to respond to those fears and weaknesses.

Do you hide in the darkness and avoid facing the fear? Or do you boldly step up to the monster, ready to battle?

My way of countering my fears is to face them head-on. Which brings us back to counterphobia.

Counterphobia is the tendency for a person to seek out the source of their fear and anxiety rather than trying to avoid situations in which the anxiety or fear may appear.

A counterphobic person who is scared of flying may become a pilot. One who is scared of public speaking may keep asking to lead meetings.

When it comes to me, I am an introvert. I battle it by forcing myself to be overly social. I am scared of risky situations, I battle it by being brave.

If there is something I am scared of, I lean in. That’s what I do.

What about you?

How are you dealing with your fears? Are you closing your eyes and hoping they will disappear?

Or are you facing them head-on? Standing toe to toe and forcing your way through the fire?

I promise you won’t get burned.