Are your fears keeping you from doing something you’ve always wanted to do?
Are you scared to take that step that you know will change your life for the better?
Do you fear the future?
There are 3 powerful little words you can use to overcome your fears.
“I’ll Handle It”
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. offers these three little words to say to yourself when you are facing a fear.
Her book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway has been around since 1987. You may have seen it referenced in many places as it’s a definitive book that offers powerful strategies in facing your fears.
A lot of hard truths are found in this book and I highly recommend you pick up your own copy.
When I’m faced with a new situation at work or some fear that I have regarding my life or my future, I keep the three little words in mind.
These three little words have magical powers.
“I’ll Handle It”
“I’ll Handle It” if I write something that someone doesn’t like and they pan my writing ability.
“I’ll Handle It” if, due to the continual restructuring in the company, my work situation changes and I get laid off.
“I’ll Handle It” if I make a mistake by moving into a new city where I don’t know anyone and don’t have any family nearby.
“I’ll Handle It” if I lose my money investing in the stock market.
“I’ll Handle It” if I ask a question in the department meeting which some people may think is a stupid question.
“I’ll Handle It” if I get rejected.
“I’ll Handle It” if I get sick or anyone in my family gets a serious illness. I’ll even handle it if they should die.
“I’ll Handle It” if there is another terrorist attack and life as we know it drastically changes.
“I’ll Handle It” if <insert fear here>
Most fears are rooted in the belief that you don’t have the ability to handle whatever life throws at you.
There’s the saying that ‘God only provides you as much as you can handle’.
That’s why the three little words are so powerful.
You have to put aside your fears and believe that no matter what happens in life that you have the ability to handle it. You have what you need to handle whatever may come.
After all, haven’t you been able to handle everything that has already happened to you in your life up to now? I know I have.
I’m still here. I still have a roof over my head, still have food in the cupboard, still have family, still have friends, still have some money in the bank (though not much as before the recession), still have my health, still have my intelligence, still have all my faculties, still have my abilities.
So, no matter what happens in the future and no one knows what it holds, I’ll keep those words in mind and believe that no matter what, “I’ll Handle It”.
I know that you can too!
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. – Frank Herbert Dune
The next time you find yourself fearful in any situation, please try repeating the magical words of “I’ll Handle It”.
Related Posts:
1. The Power Of Analytical Thinking
2. What Would You Do If You Knew?
3. Do You Need To Let Go And Forgive?
4. 10 Things You Can Do Right Now To Improve Your Life
5. How To Make Better Decisions To Move You Forward In Life
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to my feed to have all the future articles delivered to your feed reader. Thanks!
PDF 
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice write up Karen. I have faced most of my biggest personal fears so far and while some of the experiences were tough, I’m still here too! I have also been able to leverage those experiences for some great wins in my life. I am much more comfortable facing fear because I am able to apply so many of the lessons you have outline here in this post.
Personally, I am at a point where I basically attack my fears. The biggest fear I had was leaving my corporate job to become an entrepreneur. I feared making the move for years and years until I simply had no other option in my mind but to go for it. I had a bit of a plan but nothing the average person would have considered “responsible”. I just HAD to quit and I went for. Was it easy? Not at all. Did I struggle through some tough times? Oh yeah. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Ever since I have faced that fear, all other fearful situations pale in comparison.
There are many people who would nod their head throughout your entire blogpost…intellectually understanding everything you have laid out. But they are not there emotionally. They are not mentally prepared to take on their fear. Hopefully your post connects with them and helps them move toward facing that big fear once and for all.
Justin Popovic´s last blog ..The Entrepreneur’s Romance Bubble
Hi Justin,
Thanks so much for the kind words and for providing your own examples of how you have overcome fear in your own life. What a great example you are to others and to your child(ren).
You make it sound so easy in the few sentences, but one can only imagine how stressful and how scary it was walking away from a safe corporate position into one who’s future prospects were so nebulous. Obviously, you were there emotionally to make the connection between what you wanted your future to be (and not be) and the actions necessary to make it happen. Good for you!
Thanks,
Karen
Hey Karen,
Another really good post. I like reading them. The title of Susan Jeffers’ book should be everyone’s motto – Feel the fear and do it anyway! Love that!
People allow fear to get the better of them all the time. Simply because its easier to take the easy route.
If we do the thing we fear, the death of fear is certain. That’s what I live by. Anything I fear I make it my mission to do it. Because that’s how we grow. Then you can share how you broke through your own fear with other people.
What do you think Karen?
I’LL HANDLE IT!
Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Interview with David Risley on How To Get Started Online
Hey Aaron,
Yes, her book was named with a great title. It does exactly as it says it would do.
I agree that we sometimes take the easy route as all the other routes seem so hard. Or worse, we don’t even see the other routes and are stuck on the same broken-down path.
I think you gave excellent advice, as well.
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
That was a well cool post Karen, particularly liked the reference to Dune!
Welcome Tony.
Thanks so much. I’m glad that you liked the article and the quote seemed to fit.
Whenever fear fraught our hearts, we are overwhelmed and become too blinded to adopt the proper response. “I’ll handle it” brings forth an overdrive for our minds to take the appropriate action. Words can prod us to act in defiance, but without the inner courage it still is not enough. Courage within must be mastered to defy the control of fear.
Hi Walter,
Yes, often fear can be paralyzing and overwhelming. Knowing that you can handle whatever comes your way is an important reminder to push through the fear to come out the other side. Learn from the experience, build upon the experience to increase your confidence and the next big scary thing, may not be so scary after all.
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
I really liked your post here Karen. I believe that it’s important to overcome your fears. If you don’t then you will never be able to truly grow.
I haven’t read the book you recommend but I would love to if I get a chance.
It’s a really good book and I highly recommend that you obtain a copy, Julius. It should be in your local library. Glad to hear that you enjoyed reading the article.
Thanks,
Karen
Karen, Well done. I once heard a great speech about fear, called “Fear is a Compass Pointing You in the Direction You Must Go.” It was about a lesson learned in high school when the speaker dropped out of a school performance due ot his fear.He was to play the role of Curly in the musical “Oklanoma.” He later really regretted his decision, saying that fear points you in the direction of things you must do. It was a wonderfully inspirational speech, especially at the end when he broke into song.
P.S. I just subscribed to your blog.
Madeleine Kolb´s last blog ..7 Reasons You Should Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Welcome Madeleine,
Thanks for your subscription, I hope you enjoy the reading the Just For Today Challenge ebook and the articles.
Often we have to do the thing that scares us, in order to grow in life. I remember being in a small town in Ontario and wondering if I should take a job in the big city of Toronto, which really scared me. The fact that it scared me was one of the reasons why I took the job. I knew that if I didn’t overcome my fear of moving there that I would regret playing it safe. It turned out to be one of the best decisions and I’m really glad that I didn’t let my fear stop me from that opportunity.
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
Karen, a great post about a subject that is very close to our hearts; fear. Sometimes we think we have it nailed, then it jumps up and hits us ‘square on’. I love it when I can take something short and simple away from a post, such as the 3 word phrase you are suggesting; “I’ll handling it”.
I started reading Susan Jeffers’ book last year, however I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about; I wasn’t impressed at all so I put it away. Perhaps it was my frame of mind at that time! May be I’ll take another look at it. Thanks for a great post.
Regards
Paul
Paul´s last blog ..The SOS of Awareness
Hi Paul,
You weren’t impressed with her book? Really? I know what you mean about being in the right mindset, I suggest you give it another shot at finishing it.
Do you have another book on fear that you can recommend?
Thanks,
Karen
Karen, I think it was more the style it was written in, that didn’t fit with me, Like I said I’ll probably give it another go. I’m reading a couple of books at the moment, so I’ll probably take a look when I’ve finished them.
I haven’t got an alternative book to hand that I could recommend. I’ll take a look in my library to see what there is.
Regards
Paul
Paul´s last blog ..The SOS of Awareness
All things are hard before they are easy
Although I do believe some good things are easy from the start.
It’s our role as entrepreneurs to make things easier for people!
Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Interview with David Risley on How To Get Started Online
Great sentiment, Aaron! Thanks for adding that.
Definitely one of the most inspiring posts I’ve read this week. I personally will take these three simple yet motivating words whenever I face any type of problem. I also love the quote you included about fear. Thanks a lot Karen!
Julius´s last blog ..The Challenges of Blind Internet Users
Hi Julius,
Thanks for the kind words. I use the saying “I’ll Handle It” a lot when I’m facing difficulties in my life and so I know that they work for others, too. Glad that you liked the article
Thanks,
Karen
I “feel” like I’m about to blow my first real product launch right out my a**.
I’ll handle it.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Road Ahead – David Risley got me to spill the beans
LOL. Yes, you’ll “handle” it no matter what! I would say Good Luck, but luck has nothing to do with it, eh?
We have a saying at work which is similar to this.
If we’re faced with a difficult situation, session, or group of students our stock phrase is “you’ll be fine” because more often than not you will be.
Nice post Karen
Ben´s last blog ..An Interview with Yours Truly
Hi Ben,
I guess that will work, too
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
I actually have this book by my bedside and let me tell you it helped me alot a while back. I believe it is where I got the gutts I needed to move on not only with life but becoming a better more lovely person. Great job.
Hi Butterfly,
Thanks for the comment.
Isn’t it a wonderful book? I’m glad that it helped you, because it certainly has helped a lot of people (me included).
Karen