Fear is an unavoidable part of life. It influences our decisions, limits our potential, and often keeps us stuck in situations we should have left long ago. But what if the key to success wasn’t avoiding fear, but running toward it?
Table of Contents
- 1 The Bison vs. The Cow: A Powerful Lesson in Facing Challenges
- 2 Avoidance Keeps You Stuck: The Cost of Running from Fear
- 3 Real Growth Comes from Facing the Storm
- 4 The Courage to Break the Rules: Embracing Fear as Growth
- 5 How to Start Running Toward Your Fear Today
- 6 Final Thoughts: Be the Bison, Not the Cow
The Bison vs. The Cow: A Powerful Lesson in Facing Challenges
In his book American Buffalo, author Steven Rinella shares a fascinating insight about how cows and bison react to an approaching storm. Cows, driven by fear, either try to outrun the storm or freeze in place—prolonging their exposure and suffering. Bison, on the other hand, do the opposite. They charge headfirst into the storm, moving through it faster and emerging stronger.
This natural instinct offers a powerful metaphor for how we handle adversity. When we avoid difficult conversations, delay important decisions, or stay in toxic environments out of fear, we only prolong our discomfort. But when we confront challenges directly, we shorten the struggle and come out more resilient.
Avoidance Keeps You Stuck: The Cost of Running from Fear
Many of us live like cows, unknowingly making life harder by avoiding our fears. Think about these common situations:
- The Tough Conversation You Avoid – You know you need to address an issue with a coworker, friend, or partner, but you delay it, fearing confrontation. The result? The issue festers, creating resentment and unnecessary stress.
- The Career Move You Keep Putting Off – You feel stuck in an unfulfilling job, but fear of the unknown keeps you from making a change. Years pass, and you wonder why you didn’t take action sooner.
- The Personal Goal You Never Start – You want to get in shape, write a book, or launch a business, but fear of failure stops you before you begin. Meanwhile, time slips away.
Avoidance doesn’t eliminate the problem—it extends it. The more we run from our fears, the more control they have over us.
Real Growth Comes from Facing the Storm
At some point, we’ve all had moments of bravery—times when we acted like the bison.
- A leader who finally delivers tough feedback to an underperforming employee often finds the conversation wasn’t as difficult as expected, and the employee improves because of it.
- A professional who takes the leap into a new career realizes the fear of change was far worse than the change itself.
- A parent who gives their child more independence discovers their fears were exaggerated, and their child thrives with the responsibility.
In each case, the initial fear was just a mental barrier. By stepping into discomfort, we gain confidence, mental toughness, and a new perspective on what we’re capable of.
The Courage to Break the Rules: Embracing Fear as Growth
Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey shares his family motto: “You better abide by the rules—until you’re man enough to break them.” This applies to fear as well. The most successful people aren’t fearless—they simply refuse to let fear dictate their choices.
Think about elite athletes, world-class entrepreneurs, or top executives. They feel fear just like everyone else. The difference? They see challenges as opportunities, not obstacles. They lean into uncertainty, knowing that growth happens outside their comfort zone.
How to Start Running Toward Your Fear Today
If you’re ready to shift your mindset, here’s how you can start:
- Identify a Fear You’ve Been Avoiding – What’s one difficult conversation, decision, or task you keep pushing aside?
- Take Immediate Action – Set a deadline and take the first step today, whether it’s scheduling a meeting, making a phone call, or setting a clear plan.
- Reframe the Fear – Instead of seeing fear as a threat, view it as an opportunity to build confidence and resilience.
Final Thoughts: Be the Bison, Not the Cow
Life will always bring storms. The question is: will you try to outrun them, or will you face them head-on? By embracing fear instead of avoiding it, you shorten the struggle, grow stronger, and open doors to new opportunities.
So as you move forward, challenge yourself to stop running from fear. Face it, attack it, and emerge stronger on the other side. Because the life you want isn’t waiting for you to feel ready—it’s waiting for you to take action.