John Maxwell’s 3 Lessons On Dealing With Fear

Have you ever been gripped by fear?  I have.  There are few things as worse.  There are few things as debilitating.  I have been gripped by fear when preparing for meetings.  I have been gripped by fear when asked to report to someone’s office.  I have been gripped by fear when certain numbers have popped up on my phone.  I have been gripped by fear when walking towards a family member’s home.  I have been gripped by fear driving to work.  I’m sure you have as well.

But the opposite of fear is faith.

This is why I loved the September 27, 2019 special edition of the John Maxwell Leadership Podcast called Candid Conversations.  Every leader should subscribe to this incredible resource.  You can do so by clicking here.

In this edition, John tells the story of meeting Nik Wallenda.  You have most certainly have heard of this incredible man.  Nik is a member of the Flying Wallendas, a family of world-famous daredevils.  Over 13 million people watched as he walked via high-wire over the Grand Canyon.  If that wasn’t a challenge enough, over 10 million watched as he also walked over the Niagara Falls.

After a brief introduction, John immediately began asking Nik questions about fear.  The insights John extracted were life-changing.  The following are John’s 3 Lessons On Dealing With Fear he learned from Nik Wallenda:

1. Respect – Nik said, “I have a total respect of the downside of that (high-wire walks).  I never minimize the danger, the possibility of something going wrong… Respect means you know the downside but focus on the upside… You focus on the upside through preparation.”
2. Perspective – John said, “Perspective is being able to take all the experience in your life, (and) you realize two things – 1. You can get through very tough experiences… Fear’s greatest grip on a person is one who has no experience with that fear… It’s our difficulties that prepare us to handle our fears.  I don’t think you ever get rid of fear…  You don’t eliminate the negative.  You accentuate the positive.  The opposite of fear is faith… Don’t ask for removal of fear.  Ask for great faith.”
3. Action – John said, “Action minimizes fear.  The longer I wait, the more fear gets its grip.  Fear gets its grip on a waiting person.  Fear loses its grip on a walking person.  Start walking.”

Let’s follow John and Nik’s words to action.  Respect Fear but have a Healthy Perspective and then Take Action.  You cannot completely remove fear but you can focus on the upside, prepare, have great faith, and start walking.

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