934: Building Confidence by Facing Fears with Michelle Poler
Feb 8, 2024
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Michelle Poler, founder of Hello Fears, shares strategies for facing fears head-on. Topics include flipping fear perspective, daring to be disliked, and the distinction between bravery and fearlessness. Also discussed are the connection between fear and growth, taking action through creative work, favorite studies and books, and the importance of exploring more and taking on challenges.
Embrace your true self and prioritize authenticity over the need to be liked by everyone.
Overcome the fear of speaking up by focusing on the best possible outcome and the rewards of taking a risk.
Deep dives
Embracing Your Authentic Self
One of the main fears people have at work is not being themselves. Many individuals feel the need to conform to expectations and behave in ways that are not true to who they are. Michelle encourages people to embrace their true selves at all times and not worry about being liked by everyone. She believes that pursuing comfort over happiness is a mistake and that being authentic is the key to living a fulfilling life.
Overcoming the Fear of Speaking Up
A common fear in the workplace is speaking up and asking for what one truly wants or needs. Michelle advises individuals to speak up for themselves and ask for what they believe they deserve. She recommends focusing on the best possible outcome rather than the fear of rejection. By asking what the best that can happen is, individuals can shift their mindset to focus on the rewards of taking a risk and overcome the fear of speaking up.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome often holds people back from pursuing their goals because they feel unworthy or undeserving. Michelle suggests asking oneself the question, 'Why not me?' to counter imposter syndrome. She encourages individuals to bet on themselves and be authentic, rather than trying to fit into a mold or meet others' expectations. By staying true to oneself and not seeking validation from others, imposter syndrome can be overcome.
Taking Action and Confronting Fear
Michelle emphasizes the importance of taking action and confronting fears. She shares her own experience of facing 100 fears in 100 days and how it helped her realize that fear is often a sign of growth and opportunity. Michelle believes that choosing comfort over growth leads to stagnation and encourages individuals to push through fear and take risks. She suggests asking oneself, 'What's the best that can happen?' to focus on the potential rewards rather than the risks.
As the Founder of Hello Fears, Michelle Poler has created a social movement empowering millions to step outside of their comfort zone and tap into their full potential. She has inspired some of the world’s most influential organizations including Google, Facebook, Microsoft and many more. Poler is also the creator of the project 100 Days Without Fear and her work has been featured on CBS, CNN and Buzzfeed, among many others.