Fear is part of the human experience. We all have fear. The question is, how do we make sure our fears don’t hold us back from achieving or do we turn it into something that will be amount to success.

Though it’s normal to be afraid of new experiences and opportunities, these fears can often hold us back from achieving our true potential. The fear of failure is perhaps the biggest fear that keeps people from accomplishing their personal and professional goals. But the good news is that you can use your fear as fuel for success.

When you start to feel the fear creeping in, identify what you have the power to change and what you do not. Then, focus your efforts on making positive changes where you can.

Acknowledge it, because it’s not going anywhere. And the more you try to “get rid of it,” the more it will grow and fester. When you acknowledge its presence, you can choose what to do with it.

Accept it, and give it a name, as if it were a person. When you do this, you begin the process of separating yourself from fear.

Become friends with it. Talk to it. Ask fear how it can play a role in whatever you’re trying to achieve, and keep talking until you’re clear on what the specific fear is, and why it’s there.

Choose to love it. Once you acknowledge that fear is along for the ride, you are free to love it or hate it. Why not choose to enjoy it, in the same way you still kind of love that annoying family member? Yes, they drive you crazy, but you love them nonetheless. Fear can work the same way. The moment you choose to enjoy it, you’re freed from its controlling grip, and you can learn how to live peacefully with each other.