Last week I wrote a blog titled “Schedule Action Into Your Day” where I described my resolution to alleviate the fear that I was feeling about becoming an Adjunct Professor. My end result was to create a daily schedule that allows me to meet my personal and professional goals.
I just read the post again and realized that I didn’t share with you the process that led to the action. I had to have a pep talk with myself to even clear my head enough to problem solve. Here are the four steps I used to bind fear:
1. Play To Your Strengths
Trinity hired me – not a stiff lecturer. I am facilitator at heart and a huge proponent of experiential learning. I submitted a proposal for the course I am teaching which means that I am not expected to follow a specific script. Once I reminded myself that I don’t have to teach from a textbook or give a lot of tests to achieve the course objectives my anxiety level decreased.
2. Use Your Resources
In this instance my resources were my professional colleagues who discussed my goals for the course and provided objective feedback. They also reminded me to be myself.
3. Plan Ahead
I am generally a very organized person. I am also very proactive unless I let fear creep in. When fear sneaks up on me I procrastinate. I combatted the procrastination by finalizing my entire syllabus.
4. Incorporate Past Successes
In order to really kick fear in the tail I reminded myself that I have succeeded in other challenges and I can succeed as an Adjunct Professor. I completed my undergraduate degree with a toddler, a job, and a commitment to community service. I worked a full-time job and completed graduate school as a single mother and part-time entrepreneur. The proof is in the pudding – I am a professional multi-tasker.
Every time I step out of my comfort zone I get a visit from doubt. Eliminating fear is an ongoing process and there are a myriad of ways to approach it.
How do you crush fear and doubt?
Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of Packaged For Success, helps both youth and adults discover their personal power, dream big, and achieve success on their own terms. Ms. Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sanders has over fifteen years of direct experience with diverse populations in residential, school-based, and community based agencies.
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