Standing at the base of a 60-foot telephone pole, looking up at what seemed like an impossible task, I felt the familiar pang of fear gripping me. Heights had always been one of my biggest challenges, but this moment was different. This wasn’t just a climb; it was a leap of faith—an opportunity to test my courage, challenge my inner dialogue, and learn what I was truly capable of.
The task was clear: climb the pole, stand on top, admire the view, and then jump to catch a trapeze. My first thought? There’s no way I can do this. But instead of letting that thought spiral, I made a conscious decision: I won’t let my inner voice hold me back.
Step 1: Focus on the Present Moment
The first thing I did was refuse to let fear tell me a story. Instead of imagining what could go wrong, I focused solely on the next step in front of me. I didn’t look too far ahead or dwell on the height. I thought, What’s my next move? and focused on placing one foot after the other.
By narrowing my focus to the immediate task, I kept my mind from overwhelming me with “what ifs.” This approach allowed me to tackle the climb in small, manageable steps, rather than being paralyzed by the big picture.
Step 2: Quiet the Inner Critic
As I climbed higher, that little voice in my head started whispering doubts: What if you fall? What if you can’t stand up? Instead of engaging with those thoughts, I chose to acknowledge them and let them go. I replaced them with affirmations: You’re doing great. Just keep going. One more step.
This shift in mindset was crucial. By controlling my inner narrative, I was able to keep fear from taking over and stay focused on the task.
Step 3: Lean on Support
When I reached the top, the challenge became even more intense. I needed to balance myself and stand on a platform that felt impossibly small. My heart raced, and for a moment, fear threatened to creep back in. That’s when I heard the voices of encouragement from the group below. Their words reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this challenge.
I paused, took a deep breath, and reminded myself that I was secure in my harness. I wasn’t going to fall, and I had the support of others to guide me. That reassurance gave me the courage to push forward.
Step 4: Trust the Process
Standing up was the most difficult part. It required me to trust—not just in the harness, but in myself. I reminded myself of the steps I’d already taken, how far I’d come, and the strength I had within me. Slowly, I shifted my weight and stood tall on the platform.
In that moment, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. The view was breathtaking, a reward for facing my fear and proving to myself that I could do hard things.
Step 5: Take the Leap
The final challenge was jumping to catch the trapeze. This step wasn’t just physical—it was about trusting others and letting go of control. I took a deep breath, silenced the fear, and leapt forward with everything I had. For a brief moment, I felt weightless, free from the fear that had held me back for so long.
The Learnings
This experience wasn’t just about climbing a pole—it was about learning how to overcome fear and reframe challenges:
- Control the Narrative: Your inner voice can either hold you back or push you forward. Choose to tell yourself a story of strength and possibility.
- Break It Down: Big challenges become manageable when you focus on the next step instead of the whole journey.
- Lean on Others: Support and encouragement can provide the strength you need when fear feels overwhelming.
- Trust the Process: Believe in your preparation, the tools you have, and the people around you.
- Celebrate the View: The reward of facing your fears is often greater than you imagine.
This climb taught me that fear is often just a story we tell ourselves, and we have the power to rewrite that story. By focusing on the present, silencing doubt, and trusting in ourselves and others, we can reach heights we never thought possible—one step at a time.