Erika Bryant

Doing It Scared Erika Bryant

One common emotion that every human being has experienced at one time or another during their lifetime, is that of FEAR. In 2016, an article published by the NYU Press announced that Americans currently live in "a culture of fear that can lead to poor decision making, depression, and poor physical health." Nearly twenty million Americans regularly experience fear and live with some sort of constant phobia or anxiety. In addition, the past year alone has invoked a new level of fear in Americans as they face a worldwide pandemic, new awareness of social and racial injustices, and unprecedented uncertainty. Doing It Scared is a relatable and inspiring guidebook that taps into the very fears that often haunt and cripple people, preventing them from living the lives of their dreams. Those who are plagued with self-limiting beliefs or the fear of the unknown will be challenged to push beyond their inner barriers that can be stifling. Anyone who has ever experienced fear no matter their age, culture, or background will be gently guided to take a comprehensive look at their strongholds, given tools to dismantle them, and then charged to overcome said fears. Doing It Scared is personal heart surgery that requires note-taking, truth-telling, self-assessment, and courage. While in the midst of doing their "work", readers will undoubtedly be confronted by the mountains of fear that lie ahead of them. More than likely, there will be multiple mountains of fear that will be revealed. As each chapter builds and precepts are layered upon one another, this book will serve as a mirror to each reader and cause them to face themselves and fully embrace themselves. By the end of the book, the takeaways and activities will have presented new methods by which the reader can use over and over as they uncover and are faced with new fears. Each chapter is rooted in some of the basic fears that are deemed universal such as rejection, worthiness, vulnerability, validation, etc. After an anecdotal opening, a story of fear is shared that brings the reader to self-assessment questions. At the end of each chapter, there are lists of highlights and takeaways as well as hands-on exercises that will guide the reader as they uncover inner truths about who and where they "truly are." For example, in Chapter 3 the reader is instructed to list out any fears they have adopted that were imposed upon them by others. At the end of the chapter, they will have clarity on the fears that are truly theirs and be empowered to set aside and be accountable to and for themselves and themselves only. In essence, DOING IT SCARED is an inspiring and relatable guidebook to overcoming fears that dispels the myth of fear being non-existent or some fleeting emotion that will magically disappear over time. Our belief is that fear is an indicator of a spring-like well of potential for our lives, nudging us forward to embrace said fears. Doing It Scared provides morally sound guidelines that encourage us to not only walk toward our fears but also be inspired and empowered by them. For, beyond the mountains of fear lies a land of blessings more abundant than we could ever imagine...so cheers to Doing it Scared!"