Fear is the opposite of Enthusiasm

Have you ever gotten really excited about something and then lose your nerve?
What happened?
Maybe you got tripped up with one of these counter-emotions:

Fear of rejection

Fear of looking foolish

Fear of being disappointed

Fear of what to do next

What if those emotions masquerade as logical and protective considerations, but in truth are nothing more than holes in your bucket of enthusiasm?

If you feel excitement for something, that is your 'real self' bolstering up the charisma and courage it takes to do the thing. It might be a phone call or sales appointment or maybe even trying something totally new and different.

It doesn't really matter where those ideas come from or how big the thing is. What is important is to check our level of enthusiasm. When we are genuinely inspired, our brain begins to consider the possibilities for success. As we focus on the success potential we are more likely to move from idea state to action state. Recognizing and using the power of your enthusiasm is the key.

On the other hand, if we allow 'fear' (of anything) to get any mental air time, we might find ourselves second-guessing our ability to meet our objective.
Then we run the gamut of negative imagination. The more we focus on the risks, the more holes in our bucket. If we're not careful, we can lose our inspiration before we ever even get started.

Five things you can do to brace yourself again the wiles of your 'fearful' mind.
1. Be clear about who you are and what you want. Hold to your values and dreams. Believe that you are here for those dreams to be fulfilled. And with everything know that if it's not this, then it will be something even better.

2. Choose to be with people who share your values and dreams. Be an example. Expect the best in those you do associate with. Remember that you are the one who designs your life and that includes the people you work with, live with, pray with and play with.

3. Have a realistic understanding of your resources for the activity or adventure.
Find someone who has done or is doing what you want to do and find out what resources they used. Do you have what you need to do the thing? If not, what do you have? How can you get what you need so you can do the thing?

4. Make a plan. Don't wing it. Preparation does not mean lots of time thinking about doing it. A plan means you understand the process and what you will do to meet your objective. The clearer your plan, the more confident you will be. Leaving the process and outcome up to chance is one of the worst enthusiasm drains.

5. Don't do it alone. Remember those people who share your values and dreams? Get them enrolled in your vision. Tell them about your objective. Get the support and accountability. Sometimes it feels better knowing someone else is out there who knows what we're doing and is willing to walk beside us.

Napoleon Hill says:
“Enthusiasm is a state of mind that inspires and arouses one to put action into the task at hand. It does more than this, it is contagious and vitally affects not only the enthusiast, but all with whom he comes in contact.”

Use it.