by Ginny Dye
Many of us allow our fear to stop us in our tracks. All it takes is
a less than encouraging word, a negative facial expression, or a
less than positive opinion, and we give up before we even get
started. We're afraid of:
• the word "no" because it means failure
• the word "yes" because it means responsibility
• the disapproving look because it means rejection
• the whispers and grins because they mean judgment, and
• the absence of support because it means abandonment
Let's look at these five catalysts to failure and how they can be
overcome.
1 - Abandonment
Little James Earl was scared. His father had left the family to
become a prize fighter and actor. His mother had left to earn money
as a tailor. The Great Depression had stolen his family and he was
about to lose the only life he had ever known.
His grandparents had adopted him and now they were on their way to
Michigan.
2 - Rejection
Though his life in Mississippi had been one of abandonment, it was
all the 5-year-old boy had known. The move to Michigan so
traumatized him he developed a stutter.
His first day of school was a disaster. His stuttering made his
classmates laugh at him. It was the final straw for a frightened
little boy. He closed his mouth and simply quit talking -- for eight
years!
James Earl was completely mute -- with the exception of
conversations he had with himself when he was all alone. He found
solace in the written word -- creating poetry to release the raging
in his soul.
3 - Judgment
As is often the case, one person who saw beyond his limitations
released James Earl from his self-imposed prison. That one person
was an English teacher who saw talent in the silent 13-year-old. She
pushed him beyond his fear by forcing him into public speaking –
insisting he recite a poem in front of the class every day.
Can't you imagine his terror when he first stood in front of his
classmates? What made him do it? Was it only the teacher's
insistence? No. It was a deep desire to break free from his prison
and speak all the things that had sat silently in his heart during
all those years. He chose to feel the fear – and then do it anyway!
4 - Failure
He stuttered. He stammered. He endured the sympathetic and scornful
looks of fellow students. He endured the laughing. But he did it. He
faced the fear and forced himself to speak. Day after day. Week
after week. He hung onto the encouragement of the teacher who
believed in him. And it worked. His stuttering became less. He
learned to control his voice.
5 - Responsibility
His victories made him look for more challenges. James Earl began to
take acting lessons. His early lessons in perseverance gave him the
courage to push beyond the prejudices against black actors. He chose
to take as many different types of roles as he could – stretching
his limitations and refusing to be pigeon-holed with any stereotypes.
-- Beyond the Fear --
James Earl Jones is now known for his deep authoritative voice.
Perhaps you know him as the voice of Star War's Darth Vader or as
Mufasa in the Lion King. You see him almost daily on commercials. He
has starred on Broadway and been in many movies. He has been laden
with Tony, Emmy and Obie Awards.
People look at him today and see a confident actor with a deep,
resonant voice. The next time you see him, look deeper. . .
James Earl Jones' great secret to success is that he chose to push beyond his fears. He chose to change the reality of a young boy
who had lived in silence for eight years. He chose to face ridicule
and scorn in order to be free. I can only imagine how many years
passed before he could open his mouth without being afraid of what
would come out.
So many of us let our fears stop us. We're afraid of how we will
appear. We're afraid of what people will think. We're afraid we'll fail. And so. . . we do nothing. We exchange fear for regret.
Fear will pass. Fear can be conquered. Fear will fade away in the
face of determined action.
Regret – well, you'll live with that for the rest of your
life.
What are you afraid of? Name the fear. Choose to face it. And take
action to conquer it today! You, too, can live a life of success by
feeling the fear and moving beyond it.
About The Author
The story for this article was taken from Ginny Dye's Daily Secrets For Success. Let these daily motivational stories stir your
heart, fuel your passion and propel you into action. Subscribe at
http://www.DailySecretsForSuccess.com