What are your invisible barriers?
I had a large invisible barrier. So invisible, that only I could see it. I used to be a great bike rider, going on for 30-40 mile bike rides weekly. But something happened in my head. Something not rational. I thought I couldn’t ride anymore, but it was all in my head. Because I live in a congested area in the summer, I have this fear that I am not going to be able to unclip my pedal, and will fall into traffic. I know, terrible fear, and it is an invisible barrier. Since to date, I have never fallen into traffic. I am a good bike rider. But I could not ride for an entire year.
Then today, as the day I was going to do it, I got on my bike. My heart raced, I was full of sweat, and it was only 40 degrees out. I saw this fear, this invisible barrier, in front of me. Nobody else could see it. Just me.
Have you had an invisible barrier. Even if others think it is silly, it is yours. Fear of walking into a gym. Fear of talking to someone. Fear of filling out that paperwork. Fear of going to a new place. So many invisible barriers. So many things you want to do that this invisible barrier stops you from doing.
Here are 5 steps to break through your invisible barrier:
1) Define your invisible barrier: Only you have this barrier, it is personal. Define it. I am afraid to ________. I cannot do __________ because of ___________. Define your barrier.
2) Look for a solution to go through the barrier: Once defined, you can come up with a solution. Even a small solution. For my example of bike riding, my solution was to get baby pedals for my bike so I had my confidence. Then to only ride a small amount. If you are afraid to talk to someone in a room, you solution may be to be standing next to them, and then just saying something like “Crazy weather we are having” or something very neutral.
3) Visualize you going through this invisible barrier: Take a few minutes and visualize you going through that barrier. See yourself talking to that new person. See yourself walking into the gym. See yourself filling out the paperwork that has been sitting on your desk. Visualize yourself breaking through the barrier.
4) Pick a good time/date, and just do it. Know that this is the one moment you have chosen to go through this invisible barrier. With all your mite, you will break through. You are going to take this time, this moment to break through, and squash this fear.
5) Be gentle with yourself. While you are breaking through your invisible barrier, be gentle. Be kind to yourself. Each step goes a long, long way. Even small. Each little step is a giant step for you. Each step brings you closer to breaking free of your invisible barrier.
6) Congratulate yourself. The secret sauce and the most important thing you can do is to congratulate yourself. Even a small pat on the back. Or a smile in the mirror that YOU DID IT. It is so important to celebrate each small victory.
