Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  March 05, 2020

Do Scary Things

Have you ever been in a situation and asked yourself, “What was I thinking?” That was my question while climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge while visiting Australia last month. I’m happy I did it, but I won’t do again. (This video gives you an idea of what I experienced.)

I love doing scary things because I learn things about myself. The biggest lesson on the bridge climb was not only learning what I was afraid of, but also how I deal with that fear.  The two big aha moments:

• Pinpoint – and prepare for – what really scares you. What I found out: I don’t have a fear of heights; I have a fear of falling. Because I’m tethered to the bridge via a cable, falling was impossible. (In fact, everything was locked down. Even my glasses.) Realizing the high improbability of my fears, I suddenly became unstoppable. What we prepare for is exactly what prevents us from being scared.

Listen: Two Stories That Will Make You Unstoppable

• How we do one thing is how we do everything. I learned that focusing on a process can distract my brain from the fear. In this case, it was the very narrow ladders going straight up. Even though I was tethered, I still grabbed on to the rails for dear life and just focused on one ladder at a time. I knew I liked to create systems, but I didn’t realize how much I rely on them. Keep your head down, and focus on the next step. It’s amazing to see far you’ve gone when you finally look up.

The next time you do something daunting, ask yourself two questions: 1) What am I tethered to? And 2) What can I rely on?

Now Read This:

• The Real Reason Why We Do the Wrong Things
• Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road