“We have nothing to fear but fear itself” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

“An unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. . . Fear is completely natural and helps people to recognize and respond to dangerous situations and threats. However, healthy fear–or fear which has a protective function–can evolve into unhealthy or pathological fear.” Phil Barker Conflict Research Consortium

Fear is a powerful choice we make everyday without recognizing the detrimental effects this “habit” brings to our lives. In order to break the cycle of fear, you must first believe in yourself, in your abilities, and you must believe unconditionally.

Believing in “you” is a powerful choice. It is a choice that provides strength. Believing in yourself is the first step to freedom and the beginning of an action plan to remove the obstacles you place in front of yourself everyday.

How Do You Begin to Believe?

Your choice to believe in yourself is shown through four characteristics. Read each characteristic and honestly access your level or capacity for each one.

1. Confidence: In your abilities to fulfill your vision

2. Commitment: Performing the necessary work to make your vision a reality

3. Effort: Striving to create your best work

4. Perseverance: dogged “stick to it” mentality throughout the process

Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~Japanese Proverb

Is there an activity, hobby, or ritual that brings endless joy to your life?

Do any of these “interests” stand out as special interests or passions that give you such pleasure that you lose track of time when involved in them?

Has a passion been identified by your family or friends as being a special talent you possess?

If you can answer yes to one or all of these questions then you are about to unlock the key building block to change and happiness: your interests and passions

Building Block #2: Interests and Passions

Everyone is unique in some way and everyone has interests that provide joy. Your interests are hidden tools within your experience that will help you identify the path of change to explore.

Tip: Make a list, with as much detail as possible, identifying your favorite things in life. Identify hobbies, interests, rituals, and anything that fascinates you. Once you have compiled your list, begin to identify and mark the interests that are special to you. These “special interests” or passions are the things most special to you. Now that you have your list of passions begin to explore the possibilities of converting anyone of these passions into a business.

If this sounds too good to be true–it is not. Building block #2 Interests is the most important guide to changing your life forever. Susan Hanshaw’s new book “Inner Architect: How To Build The Life You Were Designed To Live” identifies the steps you need to take to realize a better life.