In her book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., says that we all have a little voice inside that's constantly predicting "doom and gloom." Treating this as an educational problem, not a psychological one, we can learn a new way to deal with the inertia that's taken us over. Unlearning this thinking can free us of insecurities and lead us to empowerment, joy and a fuller life.

Jeffers asks and answers this question: "If you knew that you could handle anything that came your way, what would you possibly have to fear? Nothing!" Perhaps it's only that we don't trust our ability to handle whatever we'll encounter. She says that certain fear is instinctive and protects us from harm, but the kind that stops our personal growth "is inappropriate and destructive and perhaps can be blamed on our conditioning."

She goes on to say that everyone feels fear when in unfamiliar territory and that the trick is -- you guessed it -- to go out and do it anyway. Each time you do this, it gets a little easier, you feel better about yourself and "pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness." The book has many techniques to help you change your patterns.