My Fear Equation

Continuing with the personality vein of last week, I am one of those stick-to-the-path, use the tried-and-tested method type of people. Trying new things is quite daunting for me. Even going to a new restaurant has a level of anxiety to accompany the dining experience. Where I stray from this inherent characteristic is in the field of D.I.Y. Somehow, I find the excitement and the anticipated sense of accomplishment on completion enough of an incentive to pretty much try anything. Last week-end I found myself embarking on a d.i.y. journey to lay a concrete slab. As always, the job was meticulously planned out, numerous drawings and calculations done, Google searches and YouTube tutorials viewed so I was as mentally prepared as an Olympic athlete.
The phrase,  "I've got this!" was resounding in my brain.

With the materials purchased and the area cleared, measuring and double measuring began. Everything was great up to the point that the shuttering was in. It was when the mixing of the cement began, that my equation of "Sense of Accomplishment > Fear of the Unknown" became flawed. There is no satisfaction, whatsoever, in the laborious duty of mixing cement, sand, stone and water, full stop.
My lesson learnt, was, that certain jobs are best left to the professionals and those experienced in doing them. Concrete work definitely falls into that category. I have a new found respect for the people who do this everyday. My builder friend came in during the week and completed the pour (I ran out of materials, I didn't give up.) within an hour whereas I had taken the better part of a day.
Will I try other d.i.y. jobs? Of course. Some will work according to the equation and others will prove it invalid. The important aspect is that I continue trying and experiencing and with those experiences, I keep learning.

What enables you to face your fears and continue with the job despite those fears?
I encourage you to identify those strengths and leverage them to get the most out of your life. Don't let the fear draw you into a life of perceived safety. There is so much more to experience than what you already know.

Find your fear equation and focus on the 'gain' side rather than the 'fear' side. Build on the positive and the fear will shrink back into its insignificance, releasing you to experience what truly makes you feel alive.

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield