Fear is one of those things that we skydivers are facing each time we exit that airplane door. I don’t care how ballsy you are, this sport is still scary from time to time. If it’s not, you might want to do some internal searching as to why – have you become complacent? Do you think you’re that much of a badass that it just can’t happen to you?
Simple food for thought for all daredevils out there, not the point of this post.
Fear can be a good and a bad thing. Fear is good because it puts your senses on high alert – right where they need to be for a sport like skydiving. It keeps you focused on the goal. Fear also challenges you. Working through fear to get to a positive end result can help you grow as a person. You learn what you’re truly capable of – that’s good stuff.
But, fear can get so intense at times it’s crippling. How many times has fear gotten in the way of your goal in life? For me, I’m finding that fear is standing in my way of accomplishing my current wingsuiting goals. I want nothing more than to be right there with the flock, flying in to take a dock, but I’m fearful of a collision. What if I’m not precise and I take out my fellow wingsuiter? Of course, it’s not just for lack of self-confidence in my flocking skills (though, I do have a bit of that going on), flying at that speed is scary, especially when you’ve got a handful or more of other flyers at that speed to worry about.
So, how to get past that? Well, honestly, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I’m a zen skydiver of sorts, having an extensive background in practicing yoga, so I’m giving meditation a shot. Really focusing on the fear and how to not let my mind get in the way during a skydive. This does tend to be difficult though, as the fear is only there moments before the jump. Maybe meditation on the plane ride to altitude is the ticket?
I do know that in order to progress I need to hurdle this fear, or maybe channel it in a productive way – use the fear to get to that next step?
This is definitely a question I’m posing to the group. How have you overcome your fear, in any aspect of life, in order to come out on the other side, more successful than you imagined?
Love and Blue Skies!
Ashley
I know what you’re feeling. To be specific about the wingsuiting goal, I recommend that you just focus on proximity first, and do it slowly. First just match levels and be in alignment, but don’t worry about being close. Once you feel comfortable with that, then start moving closer, again slowly. Take several flights to get to a point where you probably *could* take the dock, but don’t feel like you have to. You’ll be building your confidence in your flying skills as you go, and you’ll know that you’re in control. Next practice what you would do if something happens – say the other person suddenly comes towards you – just fly away. Not suddenly – just with purpose. Throughout this entire process, visualize yourself succeeding at each “mini goal” along the way to your goal, and then finally visualize achieving the goal. Do it often. You’ll succeed, and I’m sure you’ll learn a ton along the way!
I think you can apply the same concepts to life in general. Approach the thing you’re afraid of cautiously, and in a logical way. Turn the negative thoughts in your head into positive ones. Visualize succeeding at whatever it is.
Thanks for the insight Doug. I am seeing progress each and every jump. Getting on level, getting closer and closer to the group…it’s a great feeling. Keep telling myself that as long as I see progress I’m happy. I want to head off this fear before it does start crippling me. Mini-goals sounds like a great idea.
Blue ones my friend!
Fear is a reaction to being out of your comfort zone. The farther you’re outside it, the stronger the fear might be. BUT, you can only learn and grow by being outside your comfort zone. You just have to figure out how far outside of it you can be and still stay on top of things. Blue skies to you too!
HI, Ashley, I just strated reading your blog yesterday. Love your work. I, too, am a yoga practitioner, but have only jumped four times (Keep your fingers crossed that there are more jumps in my near future).
Fear is an interesting feeling/emotion/reaction. I work really hard at becoming aware of my fear on my mat. I think that understanding that you have it is a huge first step. I tend to take a dis-similar approach to dealing with it than Doug, though. When I see that something scares me, I tend to to put it directly in my face until I can understand it and get past it. I’m not saying one method is better than the other, just different. You don’t seem to be frozen by the fear, so it doesn’t really matter what road you choose to travel.
Blue skies and namaste,
Rich
Hi Rich! Thanks for your note. It’s always great to hear from other yoga practitioners who truly understand the mental powers it can have. Yoga has a way of making you take a deep look at yourself, acknowledge your flaws, your fears, your emotions, in order to face them head on. I like your approach. Understanding and working through your fear one-on-one, doing things that scare the crap out of you so you can realize they aren’t that scary after all, has proven to be highly successful in my life. So far, I’ve never regretted going for it
. Cheers!
BTW, welcome to Chicago a year late. When I wrote the last comment I had only read up to this post from the newest. I started from the beginning and read chronologically after I posted. Also, congrats on getting married!
Thanks Rich! My life has been a whirlwind of experience the past few years, and I’m sl glad I can share them here
. Blue ones!
I think fear is what pushed me into the sport. I was afraid of heights on a serious level and still am on some levels. Put me on a roof top and looking over the edge is an issue, but it’s different when I’m looking down out of the plane door on a spot check. The fear is there but I am slowly conquering that fear at 13,500.
I think I’m weird though when looking at myself. I could leap at 13K with very little hesitation, there’s a little “concern” at 5K for a hop and pop, and I’m in a state of nirvana under the canopy… At least until I’m in my final between 100 ft and 500 ft. That’s when the fear kicks in but I tell myself, “you enjoyed the jump, now earn your wings” and the landing is nice and relief flushes over me. Until next time.
I think about the fear of it all and I feel good after a jump. Yeah I’m still new to the sport with only 36 jumps (after 4 years in the sport) as I write this but I’ve gotta say I’m relieved to know that the fear is on everyone’s mind at one point or another. It definitely makes it easier to push and shoot for other goals in the sport. And if I could jump out of a plane with “NO FEAR”, life itself should be walked through with a hell of a lot more confidence.
Awesome site Ashley. Just found it today but I’m already 6 or 7 posts in and loving it!!!