Episode 409: Why Fear Gets Louder

Why Fear Gets Louder Right Before Growth

Fear often gets louder right before growth.

And sometimes it is not just loud. Sometimes it is a full-on horror movie. Because when I am on the verge of change, there is a part of me that gets angry about it. No, no, no. We like to keep it how it is, thank you very much.

But actors mistake fear for failure when sometimes it means they are actually getting closer.

The Blowback I call it the blowback. When I start to really go out there and do what I want to do, sometimes I get a blowback. The old stuff starts crashing back in. And the best thing I can do is stay prepared for that, because when I am taking really good actions that is often exactly when it happens.

I need to stay steady in what I know to be true.

Your Nervous System Is Wired for Familiar Suffering This is going to sound a little crazy but I find it to be true. My brain is wired for familiar suffering. The nervous system prefers what feels familiar, even if that familiar thing is struggle or self-doubt or self-deprecation. If it is familiar, that is what your nervous system wants.

Think about actors who sabotage momentum after finally getting traction. You start to do really well and then you notice a part of you that wants to pull back. Or overthinking every audition after getting close to booking. Being pinged for a ton of roles and then suddenly getting in your own head.

Your nervous system would rather keep you familiar than fulfilled.

Fear is urgent and feels catastrophic. Intuition is usually quieter and more grounded. That is the difference.

Journal Prompts What are you postponing because it feels uncomfortable? This does not have to be about your acting career. What have you been putting off?

And this one is so good I have to say it twice. Is your fear protecting your future or protecting familiarity?