All across the country corporate trainer Derrick
Chevalier asks the question, “How many people have read
the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr.
Covey?” And all across the country (and in several other
countries) nearly everyone in the room raises their hand. He then
asks them, “Do you believe that the information in this
book would improve your life—make you more happy, healthy,
productive, and/or profitable?” Again, nearly every hand
in the room goes up. Finally, he asks them if they can name the
first habit from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Seldom does even one hand go up! (Ironically, Dr. Covey’s
first habit of highly effective people is ‘Be Proactive.’)
Thousands of successful professionals are all experiencing the
same phenomenon—they have access to advise and techniques
that they believe would make them happier, healthier, more productive
and more profitable if they were to implement them into their
lives and yet not only have they not implemented them, they haven’t
even made the effort to know what they are. Chevalier’s
next question was the logical one—“Why?” His
conclusion—fear! Whether its fear of failure, fear of success,
fear of looking ridiculous, fear of time, or fear of change (to
name a few), fear frequently defeats us before we begin. And it
doesn’t just plague the professional, fear is a universally
shared human experience. So, in order to be successful in any
area of life, one must first overcome the fear. Chevalier gives
you a road map to do just that in his new book Beyond
Negotiating: From Fear to Fearless:
ACKNOWLEGE THE FEAR—In
order to overcome the fear, you first have to admit that you
have it and identify what it is and how it affects you.
CONTAIN THE FEAR—Fear
is more easily contained if you can break it down into manageable
bite-size pieces that you can confront one at a time.
GAIN PERSPECTIVE—Fears
are always less daunting than they first appear once you put
them in their proper perspective.
SHARE THE FEAR—Fear
is less difficult to overcome once you realize that you are
not alone, that your fears are not unique and that everyone
is dealing with the same, or similar, fears.
IT’S OKAY TO
GIVE UP—When you just don’t have the courage
or faith to go on—give up! Go ahead and give up for the
day, and enjoy it! But tomorrow get back into the battle and
recommit yourself.
GET ANGRY—You
should be angry! Fear is stealing joy and success from your
life! Now focus that anger into resolve—resolve to confront
those fears and overcome them.
GOALS ARE ESSENTIAL—Our
fears are often too big to overcome at once. Goal setting will
give you a structure, then, to overcome them step by step by
step.
WHERE IS YOUR FAITH—Without
faith there is hopelessness. Hopelessness is worse than the
fear and helplessness that fuel desperation and despair. So,
faith is crucial.
WHEN THE TOUGH GOING
KEEPS COMING—Life is difficult! It just is! You
are going to fail in some way or another every day. So, you
must find ways to keep going even when the tough times keep
coming.
CHANGING BAD HABITS—What
habits, or patterns, have you established in your life that
feed the fear? What simple things can you change in your daily
routine that will help you avoid the onslaught of fear and discouragement?
Full of interesting stories, funny anecdotes and
practically applicable “Relentless Action” exercises,
Beyond Negotiating: From Fear to Fearless walks you through these
steps and encourages you to be relentless in confronting and overcoming
your fears. All the while, author Derrick Chevalier whispers encouragement
in your ear urging you not to give up, never to quit—if
you can just persevere your potential is limitless and your success
unimaginable.
