Page 4: Seven Keys to Overcoming Anxiety

Address Roadblocks

        The second key to overcoming anxiety is to address roadblocks. Chances are, you probably want to reduce the anxiety you feel or you wouldn't be reading this book. So what's holding you back?

       In helping people learn tools to overcome anxiety in our programs and seminars, we've found five major roadblocks:   

       1)    Fear of change. It's only human to resist change. After all, we anxiety sufferers are used to suffering. After a while we tend to make anxiety part of our identity. It can be scary to change, even if it's a change for the better.

       2)    Feel lack of time or energy. Many people say: 'Why would I want to take the time to do anxiety-reducing techniques? I'm busy enough as it is! Besides, I'm too exhausted to do anything else.' 

       3)    Feeling not good enough. Many people who suffer from anxiety don't understand what is happening to them. As a result, many anxiety sufferers believe that their physical and mental symptoms mean that they are 'defective' or 'not good enough' in some way.
 
       4)    Doubting the power within. Many people don't believe that they have the power within themselves to improve how they feel. They truly believe that they can't conquer their anxiety. And that belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

       5)    Lacking skills and inner resources. Many people believe that they can be free of anxiety, they just don't know how. They lack the skills and inner resources for overcoming anxiety successfully.

       It's OK to have roadblocks. The key is to get started and know that your roadblocks will lessen and eventually disappear as you become more skilled at reducing your anxiety. In other words, don't wait until the roadblocks disappear. The way to remove your roadblocks is to start learning skills to reduce your anxiety.

         Next page: Set Gradual, Progressive Goals