Fear is not your enemy. how to make it an ally in your career

Many people throughout their careers avoid roles that scare them — public speaking, taking responsibility, leadership, or working in unfamiliar environments.
But experts say that fear itself is what guides us toward growth, self-discovery, and success.

Fear — Enemy or Ally?

Psychotherapist Britt Frank notes that fear is our survival mechanism — it was designed to protect us, not to hold us back.
According to her, success in a career is not about eliminating fear, but about managing and channeling it. When we accept fear as a natural companion, it becomes a driving force, boosting our focus, preparedness, and resilience.

Physiologist Rebecca Heiss also emphasizes that fear is our superpower. Olympic champions, successful teams, and leading actors don’t avoid fear — they learn to live with it and turn it into inner strength.

Self-Care as the Foundation of Success

One of the first steps in overcoming fear is developing self-care and positive self-talk.
At work, learn to speak to yourself not in a critical, but in a supportive tone. When you make a mistake, don’t punish yourself — help yourself recover, as you would help a friend.
Self-compassion makes a person resilient, strong, and ready to rise again after any fall.

Growth Lies Outside the Comfort Zone

Growth begins where fear starts.
As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Every fear-inducing step — speaking up in a meeting, leading a project, or applying for a new job — is a small victory that reduces fear’s power next time.

The author even shares a personal example: taking cold showers revealed that fear itself is much greater than the actual event. Sometimes our biggest limitations are nothing more than imagined fears.

Speak Up, Ask, Lead

Fear often makes people stay silent or avoid asking for what they need to move forward in their careers. But experts stress that you are the captain of your own professional ship.
At work, voice your needs, your ideas, and your goals. Such actions not only build confidence but also demonstrate leadership qualities.

The Scariest Jobs Bring the Greatest Growth

Jeff Corbo, president of DocuCopies, has observed that people often turn down great opportunities simply because they fear responsibility or uncomfortable situations.
Yet it’s those very roles that can become the experiences leading you to the next level — revealing your true potential.

Fear as a Driving Force

Fear never truly disappears — but it can be transformed.
It pushes us to prepare, to learn, to step into self-affirmation and new challenges. When we accept it as a companion rather than an obstacle, our entire career gains a new direction.

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Don’t shy away from the jobs that scare you.
They often become the bridges leading to real growth, development, and confidence.
Success begins the moment you stand before your fear and say: “I’m ready.”

The article is based on the analysis of the Forbes

*The article was also prepared using data from AI․