What is success about? It's about focus, passion and goal-oriented thinking. And then there's another thing: decisions. At least that's what our expert and coach Dr. Julian Hosp claims: "Life is about making choices. Decisions where we see opportunities on the one hand and dangers on the other. Often they trigger fears in us. One of the most important things I've learned in my life is to understand why we have such a hard time with such decisions."
According to Julian Hosp, this has nothing to do with the fact that we are fundamentally bad at making decisions. Rather, it has to do with the fact that one thing has allowed us to survive as a race of humans over the last two million years. Julian Hosp reveals, "Our brain doesn't look at what all the great options are. Our brain only looks at what all the dangers are lurking. If we had a totally motivated brain, we would have wandered contentedly through the jungle - and the next moment the saber-toothed tiger would have come because we hadn't been paying attention."
So we survived because our brain was always wondering where the next danger might lurk. Julian Hosp: "And that's how we walk through life all the time. Only a few people are aware of this, but just accept it for themselves." He refers to a mathematical study that reveals exciting facts: "They tested how people react to potential dangers - and to losing something. The result: the fear of punishment and the possibility of losing something drives you much more than the chance of getting something great. It's human nature. If we humans didn't have that, we wouldn't be here today."
According to Julian Hosp, we are five times more motivated by a potential danger than by a potential reward. So the ratio is 5:1. And this is precisely why we often find it so difficult to really tackle things. Because some decisions require courage: courage to succeed without limits. Courage doesn't mean not being afraid. Courage means being afraid and doing it anyway.
So can one learn to decide courageously? Is something like that reproducible? Julian Hosp: "Instinctively, in my life, I've learned from my mistakes over and over again, reflected, and done better the next time." So that you too can learn to make fear your friend, here come Julian Hosp's top five tips for you.
First, you should reverse the 5:1 ratio. How? By making yourself afraid of not doing it. Ask yourself what could happen if you didn't. What possibilities would you leave out? Create fear of what will happen if you don't. And at the same time, shape the vision of what great things can happen if you do. The fear of not doing is the most important thing!
Accepting fear is not easy. You will feel it in every moment. Realize that it is part of life and not a bad thing in itself.
Julian Hosp thinks: "When you look at the Fear not thank them, but try to fight them, you are actually trying to fight yourself. Because fear is important. Fear is good. Otherwise, we wouldn't all be here today."
The next step is preparation. It helps to learn from people who have done this thing before you. Julian Hosp: "There are almost always people who have done something before you. We should ask these people: What did you do? How exactly did you do it? What did you focus on? What things were important to you? How did you deal with fear? Someone who has not walked the path cannot talk about such things, but always talks about theory. The concept could be called 'the blind leading the blind'. Therefore, always look for people who have actually walked the path themselves."
In the end, you always have the choice to do something or not to do something. Julian Hosp: "The next time you are faced with a decision, don't let your fear gag you. Realize that it's good that the fear is there. And then muster up the courage to succeed without limits!"
