How to 'overcome' fear | Trevor Ragan | TEDxCedarRapids

Fear can be helpful when we're in danger but sometimes it gets in the way of learning opportunities. Trevor Ragan digs into fear - outlining what it is, where it comes from, and (most importantly) how we can work to put it in it's place. Trevor Ragan is the founder of Trainugly.com, a free educational website designed to unpack and share the science of learning and development. He spends his time with thought leaders and researchers from the worlds of psychology and developmental science, consumes their research, connects the dots, and shares it with anyone that will listen. He's worked with professional and college sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, reentry programs, and in hundreds of schools across the country. These workshops are designed to help people understand and apply important principles of development, in order to become better learners.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx Trevor Ragan is a nerd. He spends his time with the scientists and thought leaders in the world of development, he consumes their research and discoveries, connects the dots, and shares it with anyone that will listen.
He's worked in hundreds of schools, with Fortune 500 companies, with professional and Olympic teams, and even in a few prisons across the country. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@AmberMaloneAZ]

In other words, in most cases, feelng fear doesn't mean you're doing something wrong or not ready. It's not a 'bad sign' that you shouldn't do something. In most cases, for adults, feeling fear means you're doing something absolutely RIGHT, that the knowledge you'll gain from stepping out, win or lose, will put you on the very verge of greatness.

[@awf80]

Not entirely. If you're getting ready to do something dishonest and you feel fear , that doesn't make that dishonest act a good thing.

[@iradesign4796]

Yes but you are out of contecst @anthonomymos

[@awf80]

@@iradesign4796 Actually I'm not, and it's spelled CONTEXT. So if you're going to try to act intelligent, please make sure you can actually spell, and more importantly UNDERSTAND the words you're using. Ok? There's a good girl.

[@flashpank939]

​@@awf80no reson to be salty about it. Intentionally misspelled "reason" just to let you correct it for me and feel for once that you're smarter.

[@marioouuuuu]

My summary: - "We work best when are at the edge of our abilities and a little bit outside of our comfort zones." - When we freak out because we’re out of our comfort zones, it means that we are in a learning experience. - You can’t be fearless, that’s why use fear and feel fear to your advantage - The presence of fear means that we are human - This is a skill where everyone gets better at, but the fear never goes away - Most of our fears are opportunities - We need to dance with our fear, use it as a compass, the fear wants us to stay in our comfort zone that’s why we need to embrace this feeling, challenge it, and do the opposite. It means that we are doing something brave, bold, and powerful. - Nobody is perfect in this, but with practice, it improves

[@revolutionizer0099]

People like u.., are heroes, Saving precious time of others. Thanks a lot, keep up the great work

[@XXXXBossXXXX]

thank you!!!

[@muhammadatif25]

God bless 😊

[@kotateja3892]

Thanks man

[@Realnamehidden_]

Thank you sir. I don't want to watch full video.

[@properpsychology1276]

“Where your fear is, there is your task.” - Carl Jung

[@calroach1]

I was about to cancel my flight home to see my children because my lizard brain would not let me get on the plane... until I watched your video. Thanks. I won’t allow my lizard to rob me of being with my family.

[@letsgoBrandon204]

Did you make it?

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Always tell yourself, you can DO HARD THINGS❤️🙏🌿......

[@rahilmakhija1477]

@@rhondapelletier2141 that's what she said

[@trystandavies7249]

So much guilt and shame around this subject - I feel better now!

[@clairerafisura2280]

This excites me! Wtf! Thank you so much, I feared something today. Instead of flight response, I decided to feel the emotion. The fear of the unknown, I cried but I continued to risk and I continued to do the thing that scared me. It helped me feel excited 😭😭 This was my first achievement in facing my fears 😭😭❤️

[@khangbob]

Wow what a psycho! Amazing!

[@sass-sassy]

More power to you, hope you did it

[@willemojnr]

I came here because I was procrastinating. It's easier to watch a video about "overcoming fear" than actually sitting down and doing the scary work. Thanks for sharing this, I believe it's life changing.

[@husseinalbaiaty]

Ain’t that the truth

[@willemojnr]

And I'm back a year later for a refresher!

[@smolnyinstitute8550]

24 lizards didn't appreciate Trevor sharing this powerful perspective.

[@endorphin18]

Make that 43 lol

[@deshreq9802]

How Super Realistic of them to do such!

[@this-is-bioman]

I made it 50. Powerful perspective? This isn't helpful in any way. A lot of blah blah blah about lizards.

[@justarandomguy1548]

74 & count is on...

[@Userx45778]

107

[@sreemoyeedg5100]

I have been dying inside with fear , for more than a year now. I really dont know how to put this in words... everytime I garnered the courage to work through the fear and find hope, i met anxiety on the road. A self consuming emotion that sucks up energy and tells you , you wont be able to do this or that. And this follows with depression. With medications from time to time , i feel I am still struggling hard. And real. Yes its too difficult , as said than done. This talk is just a small window that i see, thankyou to the speaker.

[@retr0porter]

Same but mines morphed from fear and anxiety to pain and sadness. Hang on Sreemoyee. I think we're on a really long downer time. After this dark time is coming a great up time. An exciting and happy time of light.

[@sreemoyeedg5100]

@@retr0porter thankyou. Strength and hope to you too. Lets remain connected through difficulties and glimpses of hope in despair. Connection and resonance is what matters...

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Same....... I keep repeating to myself this too shall pass, this too shall pass........ The one thing constant in life, it’s change........🙏🙏❤️🌿🌻

[@zoiahargrove9500]

Yall I'm goin through the same ..after seeing someone die... I got so depressed I got my on home and dont feel comfortable there

[@vondanewsome]

The BEST fear talk I've viewed, and there have been a lot of them! THANK YOU!!! I'm off to dance with my lizard now.

[@c.jordan1320]

Wow. I feel like you gave that talk for me. I’ve watched countless motivational videos to get over my fear and I’ve been doing one of my greatest fears almost every day for the past two months. Strangely, every day the first time I do it, it’s still a little scary but after I’ve done it one time the rest of the day is a breeze. I don’t know why I have to keep learning every single day but your talk gives me encouragement that even for you and your 900 times you still feel that discomfort you power through. So I’m gonna keep doing it! Praise the Lord! And thank you of course!

[@markmontoya3319]

Just became an EMT first responder. This really helps put some things in perspective. Thank you Trevor

[@yoda1934]

Should i keep taking zoloft?

[@victoriaparsons4378]

True

[@swayjaayy5495]

Were you not aware what fear was prior? Did you not know that fear was a function of the brain and that it could trigger in challenging situations? That’s all this man said. He summed it up with. We can learn from fear and learn to recognize it when it presents itself for what it is. If you ask me that’s pretty much common sense.

[@swayjaayy5495]

@@yoda1934why would you ask this man that?

[@teresadeagle3079]

Finally!! Someone talking about the Amygdala. Mine floods for no apparent reason and causes horrendous panic attacks that have shaped my life. I will no longer allow this to stop me from growing. Thank you so much.

[@travisn346]

Charles Linden - the best in understanding anxiety (which isn't fear).

[@sivanisanthosh2515]

Right now I'm having the same situation , I got admission in my dream college but i couldn't even introduce myself to my classmates due to fear as all my classmates are very smarter,rich and talented. And that's how I ended up searching how to overcome fear.

[@isiakamfugale3621]

Hope you're gonna make it

[@abhyapandey1656]

I truly think that nothing can create such a big difference In my life than overcoming fear The one and only hurdle in my life is fear

[@djkipping]

Brilliant, gets to the heart of fear and thus personal development. 99% of the times fear is no threat and just means an opportunity to learn, grow and get better!

[@swayjaayy5495]

Brilliant?! What is the brilliance of this?

[@ozairraja5782]

I almost cried whilst watching this video as every word resonated with me. It all applied to my past experiences and the fact that fear robbed me of actual positive experience, it prevented me from reaching great positions in my life. Honestly, this is a great video, wish I found it sooner, but hey we should only focus on the here and now. And from here and now I am going to apply these insightful concepts to my own life. I WILL NOT LET FEAR ROB ME ANY LONGER. Thank you Trevor Ragan!

[@rui9078]

Fear to lose, get embarrassed and be rejected. Actually that's not so bad.

[@Infinitians]

Yeah

[@khatimaafzali1804]

I don't want to forget how I lost my job three days ago just because of panic attacks, fear of failure and an another reason. I will put this comment here so that I can find this vidoe again. Thanks Trevor for this amazing piece of information 👏 🙌

[@nicogalax]

Udyxuciv

[@kathrynwessling4990]

Trev, I love the first line of this talk: "We work best when are at the edge of our abilities and a little bit outside of our comfort zones." - it describes Flow perfectly. Great job at explaining this research in an accessible format to your listeners. We all needed to hear this!

[@kaysianrain9203]

I used to get nervous to do interviews and it showed big time through increased heart rate and over explaining. However I signed up to a job agency and they had scored a job for me, I had to show up to do an induction and a small interview, however I was not nervous at all. This came down to knowing the outcome, in my mind I knew I already had the job so there was no uncertainty. This is key for me personally, uncertainty is what causes me to become afraid. Take note of times when your fear was no longer present and ask why.

[@bobchelsy163]

g money ballin don’t fold under no pressure

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

"We suffer more in imagination than in reality." -Seneca

[@duresameen4497]

I’m so so glad I came across this video and it changed my perspective on life and I’ve started to face my fears with making peace with the idea that it’s okay if you’re afraid but it’s possible to take back your control Thankyou 💯

[@richardandlaravickers4140]

I have followed Trevor for years. Great to see him on TED talks! Good stuff

[@sourabhs14]

Fear comes due to uncertainty, struggle or change. It doesnt means something is wrong. It means we are human. Dont try to eliminate or defeat fear. Use it as compass. It tells you that you are about to do something bold, brave and powerful. It signals that you are in a learning experience and about to move out of comfort zone. Fear treats every learning opportunity, problem, obstacle as threat. When we detect threat we find a way to avoid them. We can put fear in the backseat and we take the wheel. We realize that most of the things are opportunities to learn grow and get better. When we reframe them to opportunities, we are more likely to do them, experience them. It is a skill. It takes practice. The more we do, the more we get better.

[@jan75643]

To accept and embrace fear and not struggle with it..Yea..ok!..I see that!❤

[@adina1291]

Thank you for this talk! I've been dreading for the past couple of days of starting a new job, yeah, i've applied and I got it. Yet there is this intense fear and worrying thoughts that try to cripple me inside out. This talk taught me that feeling fear makes you human, you should not conquer it, remove it but to sit and dance and act despite it. I do hope i will get to learn more and experience more despite my fear thats never going away.

[@R3XoXo]

He just taught me that feeling fear is actually a feeling to help me do something that needs to be done. I usually feel fear when I get home from work and lay in my bed for hours. I smoke some bowls and forget about everything I need to do and my fear keeps building up because I don’t listen to my fear and anxiety. I just was over it today and decided to search up “how to conquer fear” but now I think I’ll decide to ask myself HOW I can use my fear to help me.

[@bobchelsy163]

g money ballin

[@sultanayassin2929]

One of the best ted talks I’ve ever watched. I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon this video as it was so relatable to me

[@shalinitiwari119]

Fear robbed me with opportunity of speaking in front of my school, showing to few that i love them and from experiencing what it feel to speak on stage...

[@tiaturnbullchampionscoachi9587]

I just watched your talk with the powerpoint. I had made a playlist about the growth mindset since discovering it in the last week. I moved you to the top. Excellent teaching skills you have developed, thank you for your clarity, energy, great examples and your obvious deep understanding of your topic! I am inspired to focus attention and know that I am good enough to effort and learn. Again, well done!

[@annieannie1630]

Thank you, very helpful talk!

[@candacewashington9865]

Thank you so much. When I try to explain my fear of things people just don't understand. This really helped to change my perspective. There has been so many times I've gotten to the edge of something and just stopped bc the what if questions begin to take over. I appreciate this video

[@joshfranklin7893]

Seriously one of the best things I’ve ever watched. Life changing. This should be mandatory learning

[@matthewerwine8333]

This video changed my life.

[@JohnnyGreatC]

Wow, very good lection. "Feeling fear means that we are doing something brave, bold, and powerful." - When this though comes to your mind right in that moment you are freaking out (and you realize the meaning of that thought), the fear actually "disappears" and transforms to excitement. Cause you just embrace that feeling to be your partner, not your enemy.

[@atiafirdaus2645]

Fear has two meaning F - forgot E- everything A - and R- run And another one is F- face E - everything A- and R- rise Now its your choice ☺☺

[@wrench697]

I choose to forget everything and run

[@lucidreclamation1323]

Instructions unclear, read it at as Fear has "To" meaning. And I didn't know what fear was meaning instead of, Fear has "two" meaning, and reading the rest

[@user-et3uo6cw6h]

Dude. Shared this in my group today. I run a group at a local recovery agency. Thank you!

[@atiafirdaus2645]

@@user-et3uo6cw6h ❤️❤️

[@sergioescalona62]

There are several suggestions to try Avoid stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine Try to relax Exercise often Seek help from others (I read these and more ideas on Trevs panic fixer site )

[@dove.7185]

This made me realize that what i fear the most is fear itself..

[@Chryssigee]

Brilliant talk. Quite applicable and it makes sense to feel the fear and do it anyway.

[@LIlyMason-yf2ew]

Thank you. I have watched so many videos on ‘how to get over your fears’ and it did nothing, I really needed to see this ❤

[@spiritualbeinginaphysicalbody]

Fear is lack of knowledge. We think in pictures, what's running on the screen of your mind. What shows and movies do you watch? Do you watch the news? All that plays a big factor in why you are the way you are, and how your body is functioning. The only way to rid fear is knowledge, it's out there, and rid yourself of negative programming. Which is pretty much all television unless it's something you want to get into and actually do it. You ask, how am I suppose to know what's going on in the world. Do you want what's going on in the world? If you do, keep watching, you'll keep seeing it in your world, and you'll be in fear. When you are in fear your mind goes into survival mode, and stops making new healthy cells for your body, it's focus is to rid the fear/danger. If your mind stays in survival mode then that's when you start seeing dis-ease in the body. To get back to a healthy state, you'll need to convince your sub-conscious mind that there is no danger and it can start making new healthy cells again. Things are simple when you know how the mind works, and the universal laws that govern our existence.

[@meleika8274]

He said everything correctly. I really appreciate ❤

[@willwithinyou9286]

One of the best videos I have ever watched

[@veronicafetiluna8859]

Because I fear to face my fear, it took me three days to finally finish this talk and now finally finished it. I gained clarity. Thank you so much! All my fear-based decisions flashed back where in fact , and I realized those were all opportunities that I missed. Now , after watching your great talk, I am better than before.

[@karthikbachawala]

Thank you so much for sharing this concept. I like to practice this skill to get rid of the fear.

[@withmesheru9415]

Thank you for making a gratification about the worst condition.

[@AustinKelly01]

This was probably one of if not thee most important videos I’ve ever seen in my life.

[@balasahebmane1]

loved it!! thanks TEDx and trevor ragan.

[@angelaobrien852]

Great to see you on Ted talk, congratulations!

[@desaisubhash]

Beautiful talk - just loved it! Changed my perspective about fear.

[@husseinalbaiaty]

Mine too!

[@vidowings]

Thank you Trevor ! Let the dance begin !

[@Lightlysaltedpotato]

Thank you so much for approaching the topic of fear in this way. Gave me much to think about

[@jeanniegichigi2765]

I hear whats been sad and i would be over the moon if i could overcome or come to terms with this fear thingy! I am embarrassed to say that it has been controlling me all my life. I k ow now that it started a long time ago as a young child and am now 63years old.....am i too hard wired for fear to be able to change. I have missed all so many GREAT opportunities because of giving in to fear...too many to mention. My desire is there but my fear dissuades me till i drop the project...i am now trying to luve and dance with the fear and see what happens...thank you. I know am approaching this in a fearful way...but am willing and want to change...!

[@abhishektanwar8576]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am facing the same at 26 yrs old.

[@sejalpatel2545]

Thanks for sharing this, much needed!!!

[@nycsingh1]

Life changing!!!

[@tracydavis3934]

I love this talk. Thank you so much for bridging the gap between science and how to navigate ourselves to grow from it.

[@reeshmavibez]

One of the best TED talks I've ever watched. Thankyou.

[@glitterygirl1017]

Thank you for this, it helps in so many ways 🤔

[@dr.reenajagdishprajapat2081]

Trevor .... you rocked my world big time ....

[@dalebrett9168]

Thank you, treating fear as a compass with more fear indicating the way to go is quite inspiring.

[@accbcell]

So wonderfully explained. Clear and concise, but in an interesting way. Thank you a lot for Ragan's sharing and TED which organised this talk and uploaded it here. Hope this video can be viewed by more people who are disturbed by this problem.

[@cyncity5129]

Excellent info! Thank you!

[@destroyerinazuma96]

We need more videos like this. Yes, it's not a "first source" or a hardcore scientific publication, but most laypeople don't have the time or the state of mind to understand either.

[@shalyarkh2633]

This is really mind opening about alot not just fear thanks alot this is just brilliant great speech 👍👏

[@anjettamcqueenthackeray1058]

Amazing points. Thank you!

[@IRateIt331]

It's funny how he says hes freaking out but just looks so comfortable on stage; reps

[@hearty1240]

💯 One of the most honest talk I've listened to. ❤️

[@hadimaghami6740]

Wow, That was brilliant, It is what I really need to do right now!! Thanks 😊

[@mikesargsyan1899]

You could stop doing things you want to or need to do if you avoid scary situations at all costs. The opportunity to figure out how to control your concerns and lessen your anxiety is lost since you won't be able to determine if the situation is always as horrible as you anticipate. If you fall into this cycle, your fear and anxiety issues are likely to worsen. The video has taught me that sometimes, in order to grow, we have to face our fears.

[@zali8132]

This was such a great Ted Talk.. I love how he connects with the audience.

[@kimhmar]

Excellent 👍. It's good to talk back to our gremlin and have a control over it: one of the ways to overcome self-doubt & fear barrier.

[@STMARTIN009]

Throughout my life I have become fearful,nervous, and pessimistic over changes in life and nearly all of the time the change was far from the preconceived negative outcome that I thought it would be. I did have a fear over driving for three months after I got into my first car accident when I was 17. We can either overcome our fears or let the fears take over.Its always good to talk it out with someone if you need advice.

[@rhondapelletier2141]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😭🙏🙏🙏🙏 TRUE

[@ashishojha8738]

what a speech ! motivating

[@callmekingraven]

man this was really life changing 👏🏽 thank you sooo much!

[@ankiambomnkesa]

Thank you so much Sir Trevor. This is a life changing lesson to me. The comments are quite insightful too. Thank you all.

[@paulfederici1012]

Brilliant talk mate, many thanks for sharing :)

[@nijahhughes]

This interview really just changed my mind wow

[@charmainejohnson5700]

I was freaking out thinking about the future and this video in my recommendation was right in time. I feel much better now.

[@dreamcanadian1997]

This is really special. Thank you so much. This has completely changed my mind. Fear will always be with us to protect us from struggles. However, it will force us not face the good challenges, opportunities. If you feeling fear that means you are doing something special such as learning a new skill. Keep fear in back seat of your car. Don't try kick it out of the car because you can never do that as if you do anything out of your comfort zone you will face fear.Just don't let fear hold on the steering wheel of your life because that way you will miss opportunities, good challenges, good experiences.

[@xD_HeavyMusic]

I'm inspired and scared :) Thanks, Trevor. Let's see what I learn in the process of experiencing more fear 🖤

[@iam_ChrisJHarris]

Wow this was so powerful and eye opening for my life. And I can already feel how this will start to change my life. Wow

[@tamietava4551]

Thanks Trevor for this amazing talk. Many times fear has caused me to freeze and not take action. I now know without a doubt that fear is normal and should be used as a compass for growth and development. Undoubtedly getting out of our comfort zones enables us to become more confident, grow and transforms us to be our ultimate best🥰

[@ChristianSoschner]

Great speech. Thanks for sharing.

[@mr.atheist8848]

Wow! This video cured my anxiety just by dancing with fear! Thank you very much.

[@mehmetnecati87]

life changing speech

[@wandot2047]

So awesome and very helpful speech.

[@christabeledo3100]

i am so glad i came across this video, my major fear is public speaking and attention……i hope this works for me…..i will put it to practice

[@oaesan]

Trevor, you did win this battle with your lizard. Thanks for motivating me to win mine. Even if I fall on my face, I'll get up, ready to make more mess until I get it right.

[@peterhamilton3842]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Raul__A.s.001]

It's the first time that I finish a Ted talk and start to clap.

[@Thelifeofcody]

Great vid, & wonderful perspective on fear & how to negotiate that.

[@janecarino4320]

Brilliant talk!!!

[@sanvednasharma]

i relate to this so much , i am in my 20s and i started learning how to swim . i have been always a top scorer , better at everything be it academic or non academic .. but i failed terribly at learning swimming because of my excessive fear .

[@munawarhamiya8194]

Same same 😭

[@Ronalexandernyc]

This video changed my life!

[@deachenchorol4360]

Phew! I am so relieved🤗

[@briancarlsahagun9471]

Thank you ❤️

[@sirbillypetteway8609]

This is what made me fall in love with Texas Tech, but I didn't understand what Tech was teaching me at the time. That school wanted to see me succeed. They are my family.

[@below2918]

"How to overcome fear....I have no idea, but you clicked & clapped, my ego thanks you." Profound

[@fcmck4011]

I find that moving my eyes laterally helps me overcome my fears. I kind of roll my eyes at a comfortable pace and try my hardest to do what I want to do at the same time and it usually works. Andrew Huberman has some videos on it.

[@estherchinghoihnuamsimte5255]

Great talk. Seems alot practical. 🙌