Past experiences, your culture and even the people in your life can build fears inside you that hold you back from truly living the life you want. It’s not usually intentional but you may shy away from situations that make you uncomfortable and not even understand the true reason why.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s no shame in being afraid. Everyone feels scared at some point in time. But, when the feeling stops you from pursuing your dreams or escaping negative situations, then it’s a problem.

Here are the top seven fears that you might encounter and how to deal with each one.

The Top 7 Fears That Hold You Back

1. What If I’m Not Good Enough?

Inadequacy is one of the top fears that stops people from diving in head-first and going after their dreams. The little voice in the back of your head that says you are not good enough or not worthy of something often paralyzes you. You may pass up promotions and avoid opportunities that might just propel you toward the lifestyle you really desire.

Remember that everyone has a different skill set. Where you may be strong, someone else might be weaker. Be aware of areas where you struggle and build on them. Just being self-aware already puts you ahead of others because many people are in denial about their weaknesses. If there’s something you want to do, then just go for it!

2. What’s Going To Happen?

The uncertainty of an outcome stops most people cold. What if you quit your job and hate the new one? What if you purchase a new home and it turns out to be a money pit?

Instead of focusing on your fears, think about what you could be missing. What if you never purchased that new house? Then, you won’t have a family home where you could spent the next thirty years happily watching your kids grow up.

Being afraid of the unknown can stop you from trying new things but you may also be missing out on something fantastic.

3. What If They Say No?

If there’s a chance that someone might turn you down then why bother to ask, right?

Um… no.

Rejection is another one of the fears that holds many people back in life. You won’t ask for a well-deserved raise because you’re afraid your boss will say no. Many people flat-out refuse to suggest something out of the ordinary just because there’s a possibility that they might be turned down.

Wouldn’t you prefer to know how that other person felt about what you were asking? Your boss may not be able to afford to give that raise right this second or maybe he could. Maybe, he’ll consider you for a position that could pay more. You just never know what magic could happen. If you sit there scared and do nothing, the odds of experiencing the changes you want are slim to none.

4. I Don’t Want To Fail

Many people don’t bother to try something unless they know without a doubt that there will be a positive ending. If everyone thought this way, there would be absolutely no advances in the world.

While it may suck when you fail at something, I always say it’s an opportunity to learn. Every time you try and it goes wrong, you see how not to go about it. Sometimes, this is where the most creative ideas come from.

A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney, claiming he lacked imagination and had no good ideas. Walt Disney then went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. He persevered despite his rejected park idea and today, there are several Disneyland parks all over the world.

Don’t look at failure as a chance to give up. Take it as your time to grow and become better than before.

5. I Don’t Want To Be Alone

You may stay in a bad relationship just because you’re afraid of being lonely. The idea of being on your own might terrify you when others usually take the reins. It means you are now completely responsible for your life.

It is however possible to feel alone even when you are in a relationship. If your significant other does not give you the attention you need or doesn’t show interest in nurturing your connection to each other.

Don’t put up with poor behaviour you need to rationalize just so you are not on your own. Get in touch with yourself. Place the utmost importance on your physical and emotional care and this should help to alleviate your fears. You will know exactly what you want and need and seek that.

For more tips on putting your needs first, read Does Being Selfish Make You A Better Person?

6. I Don’t Want To Get Hurt

There are some people who refuse to commit to a serious relationship just because they might get hurt emotionally. If this is the case, your fears may cause you to miss out on developing meaningful relationships with anyone—friends or otherwise. If you constantly hold everyone at arm’s length, they will never get to know the real you.

Pick someone you really like and open up to them slowly. If they give a little, you do too. After a while, it will become easier to truly let someone in.

Eventually, you have to put your trust in someone or you will go through life alone. There will be no-one to fall back on because you are too scared to trust and be vulnerable. Getting hurt is no fun but it is a part of life. If it happens, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on again.

7. What Will Everyone Think?

Our thoughts about what everyone else is thinking are frequently exaggerated. These misguided perceptions get blown way out of proportion and suddenly you change your mind about carrying out your plans.

No-one enjoys feeling like they’re being judged but you can’t please everyone. It’s pretty much impossible. You do something and there will be at least one person who is unhappy with the way you did it.

So what if they don’t like it? They may just be projecting their own fears onto you. Stop caring about what they think and do what makes you happy.

Fears can hold you back and allow excellent opportunities to pass you by. Don’t let this happen to you. Take any chance that presents itself to create the life you desire.