Braco Pobric
Welcome to Business and happiness podcast. I'm your host, Braco Pobric. JJ, this episode is sponsored by life Success Academy, a place where you recreate your business and personal happiness. Here's a subject that most of us don't like to talk about it. It's really important, because things like fear happens. You know, it's around us all the time. Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's right. Sometimes, yeah, sometimes it's lion is chasing us, and we need to run and sometimes we don't need to run. Right. So. So yeah, let's let's talk about my friend Kareem and wanted to talk about facing fear. Because that is we know, based on the research, one of the top scientifically proven things that could exist resilience people do they know how to face fear?
Kareem Sheta
Yes, um, well, when I think about resilience, I think about one person who comes to mind, and that is, I'm sure you've heard of him, Colonel Sanders was the founder of the Kentucky Fried chicken franchise. The reason I always take him I related to resilience is that he faced so many obstacles since he was in his teen years, until he, I know surpassed the age of 60, or 70. And he didn't reach success until he was over the age of 80. So the fact that he just went on, you know, like her, operable, he no matter how much he was distorted, no matter how much pressure was applied to him, he just kept on going from beginning to end until he reached success, no matter how long we took. So for me, that's what resilience is.
Braco Pobric
Yeah, you know, that's so true. And that's, you know, that's resiliency, and, like, a lot more on top of that, that persistency, that optimism, that's that pushing for it, that's that, you know, fail million times until you succeed. Right? But that's what resilient people do. Yes, that's absolutely, what would they do? Great, great example, you know, I know that there are certain things that based on research, resilient people do. And that is, first of all, they, they they have a spiritual support. Now, spiritual support, people always get well, but I'm not religious, how do I get that? It's not about religion. It's about spirituality, right? There could be religion, because religious people that it's really easy to get it. That's it there, they have a habit. But for people who are less or not religious, then you know, finding spirituality somewhere else. Alright, in mindfulness in universe in meditation, right, connecting to something bigger than yourself is where really, definitely helps. The other thing that I know they do is they, they basically get the help from groups or organizations, right? So we're not really here to live or to build anything alone, or to face fear alone. Right. So they have they are members of certain groups or organizations. And certainly, they have their social support, which is really the biggest one, right? These days is kind of maybe a little difficult, but social support, having a friends and family colleagues and people around you, they can support you. And if you think about facing here, I want to mention this before we go before I turn it to you. You know people who face fear on a daily basis, every day, think about police. Think about firefighters, right? Even actor is different fear, but there is a fear. Right? And, and they just do it, but what do they do? They face it? That's it? Yes. I guess you face it. Right? Don't try to run away from it. Unless it's a lion, please run. But don't run away because chances are you can't run away from certain fears. Right? You have to really face it and move on figured out what to do and then move on. What do you think?
Kareem Sheta
I totally agree with you. Especially about all the factors that you mentioned, like social support and spirituality and religion, all of them are definitely a part of the package. You know, when I I think about facing fears This is why when I learned about it in your, in your PPMC course, I felt it was one of the most effective factors for resiliency. Because it sort of reminds me of two different events or scenarios. Like, I remember when I was in university, and I really thought that I wanted to be an engineer, and and then after like three years, because in Egypt, we are five years, not four years, like abroad. And I felt, okay, this isn't what I want to do. But I had two and a half years left, so I didn't really know what to do. And should I just transfer? What's the, and that was my fear on an academic level. And then I thought, you know, what, just, you know, straight on, you have two and a half years, you're almost there, and then do whatever you want, you have all the freedom to do whatever you want. But the dilemma was, should I just, you know, do the efforts as much as needed? Or should I take it to the maximum? I decided to go with the latter. And thankfully, I graduated with distinction and everything. And I felt good about myself, not because I got a high grade. No, but because I could have just gave up to the fear, the fear of being in an endless, you know, university, that doesn't end It's so boring, at least at that point. But no, you just you go with it. That's from an academic level. And from a personal level, I think I've always been an introvert. I think sometimes you might notice that because I'm not a bit quiet. But I just, you know, I like, you know, peace and quiet and everything, and just, you know, being chilled, to some extent. And I remember I was in this big event, and they were like, over 200 people. And then I was like, Okay, what, and I was literally standing in the middle of the of the room. So they know what to do. And it was at that point that it was a changing, like, moment in my life, because I said, Okay, you know what, just don't talk to that person, and then go talk to that person. And I think they ended up talking to 10 different people, and to so mentally exhausting, because I just, you know, flip the switch to try and be social. But I think it just broke that barrier or built that fear. And afterwards, it was much easier to socialize. I do still like my private time, but I definitely can interact with people more. So yeah, let's
Braco Pobric
say it's about again, facing it. Right and breaking that barrier. And the other thing, I think what's what's really key to facing fear is the action is the actual reason I said that. I'm thinking back your days, 1991 you I came to us and business trip, were started, I couldn't go back, left all the money in my account, left everything I have huge apartment in center of the city. Everything right, and started life from zero. And what did I do demos? Absolutely. I mean, it's fearful, right? What do you do? How do you start your new life? But instead of thinking, What do I do? It was all about action. It was all about that, that desire to create a new life, start from the beginning. And you have to move on when things that bad happen. You basically have a choice, you're going to give up, or you're going to move on. That's it. Right? And you know, if you start if you're action oriented, regardless what it is, you will figure out a way, as long as you have that big why? And a huge why, right? I gotta support my family. So as long as you have that huge why then everything else is easier.
Kareem Sheta
I totally agree. And, but I think the Y that you have should be like divided into more than one right? Like, what is the why right now? What is it for the future? So I'm sure you had different answers to that.
Braco Pobric
True. Yeah, you're absolutely right. It's it's day to day. It's like, it's my big why for today and for tomorrow for weeks for yes, you're absolutely right. But you know, like I said, we all face a few different time for life and different fears, if you will. And today, you know, at the time of recording and you know, hopefully some of you listening now don't even know what this is. But we are in everybody unfortunately knows. In the entire world. We are in this you know COVID-19 crisis, where most of us were locked in the place in house department, you know, for a year and a half, some of the countries are still going through full lockdown. I had my students in Australia, I was just talking to one last night, that they are still in a full lockdown, they have a curfew, they can't even get out of the house. They can only go for, you know, get some essentials. And this is year and a half after this terrible virus hit us globally. And so this is the big fear that we're all facing. Thankfully, and none of us this generation I'm talking about went through something like this. Right? But but this is the fear that that that we are going to what do you guys do, you know, talking about Egypt, or your friends or yourself to face this fear, we have to deal with it, there is no escape, we can just say, I'll go to another country, or I just like no answer. How, what do you do? How do you guys deal with it?
Kareem Sheta
Well, definitely, it's been, obviously, as it has been around the world, very difficult time in Egypt, I think the the barrier that really got to them the most was the job security, because they're like, for me, okay, I'm, you know, relatively young, and I'm single, and I just have myself to take care of so it wasn't that big an issue for me. But for a lot of people, no, they had families to attend to and everything. So I think definitely the main obstacle was the part of job security. I can speak on behalf of caregivers, and you know, people who provide for their families. But I definitely like to your point of view on that. But for me as as Kareem, you know, it's just, it's a reality that you have to deal with. There's nothing in your hands to do. And that's not being pessimistic, that's being realistic. And then as you always say, in your quest, that's not the form of pessimism, you have to deal with the situation. So it's all about doing an action plan. Okay, so I don't know how long this is going to be. And so I remember creating an Excel sheet on my laptop and creating three lists, sort of like a now list. And like, in the in the next year list, and then a future list things that I can resort to after I've been fully settled in. And you sort of have to make the best of the situation. And actually, I took it as opposed to decide the glass half full, because Okay, now I have some time to do whatever I want. So I, I took like a bunch of writing courses. And actually without COVID, I wouldn't have learnt about Udemy. And I wouldn't have been introduced to the PPMC course. So it all worked out for the best. And I started looking at a master's degree. So I could go on and on. But I'd love to hear about how you handled it, especially because you had a family to care for. And you had your courses and everything.
Braco Pobric
Yeah, so this is really interesting. I'm heard the same thing last night from another colleague and a student, former student that, you know, got an extra time. And this was really great for me. This is really for the rest of us that are fortunate enough that are still here on this beautiful planet, right? We unfortunately, globally lost so many people. You know, I happen, I lost my first door neighbor, like in very beginning March last year, year and a half ago, I lost a number of friends. So it's hard, right? It's really hard. But, but it's all about planning. I think when something like this happen, like you said, you know, doing a planning, and really understanding being prepared for the worst pre prepared, I knew this will be at least for a year, and I was prepared to be at least here. And everybody who was you know, overly optimistic all will be gone in a few months. They struggled mentally, because it wasn't gone in few months. Right. So we talked about optimism, we're pretty grounded optimism, and don't just say everything will be fine. Right? But be be look at be realistic, right? Be realistic. And, you know, again, sorry for that we lost so many lives. And for some of us lucky ones that here. Yes, most people who are action oriented did exactly what you did, and what my other students and colleagues did, which is you let me figure out how can I use this time because I'm home. I can't go out. I can go between friends to dinners at bars, restaurants, movies and sports events. And maybe I can take good use a good time. So so what I would recommend people to do just that to reach out to friends reach out to family, if you can't go see them. There's always a beautiful way of FaceTime and zoom calls, whatever today exists. There is this still thing phone, it's called phone. You can just call somebody you don't have to text is it So, so reach out. Right? If you have an issue, any fear reach out. And the other thing I was discussing with my colleagues in other podcasts, which is that some people, that's even not enough. So some people may need a coach, but then that may not be enough. Some people may need the therapy, right. So please reach out for help. If you, you know, not all of us can face a COVID-19 or any other fear in a way that maybe you're not facing. Right. So some people, if it gets to that point, please, please, please get help. Get professional help. That's really, really important, right? Because we don't want people to think oh, yeah, look, everybody else is like dealing with this. I just don't know how to write that's very true. Yes, there are so many reasons for that. Right? There are so many reasons for that from genes to your entire way how you lived entire life that cannot, cannot be just switched overnight. So yeah, so I think that's, that's really important. You know, look, look for some help in certain organizations. There's even online support so much, there's so many groups. So yeah, that's that would be my recommendation. And as far as what people do, during this time, it's absolutely personal choice, unfortunately, became political, at least here in West, right. So it's one side or the other. I don't care about politics. But you know, what we did really, for a long time we liked in ourselves in the house, especially because my wife has certain condition, and I want to make sure that she doesn't get too caught it so you know, but again, it's really your choice. But be careful. And there are things we do there are always consequences, good, bad or ugly, you know, depending on what actions we take, that's a life. Right?
Kareem Sheta
Very true. Very true. And, and like, again, like there are so many factors, I think ballclub emphasize on the most important to just social support, and religion and or spirituality or whatever belief system there is. And I think one more that I actually heard recently, you actually teach it, but I heard it from a client of mine. Yesterday, actually, he said that during COVID, he wanted to use just about to apply or want to join the rowing team, the local rowing team in, in his in his city. And he actually during COVID started working out the tone. So you got all the necessary equipment and home and physical fitness is actually one of your resiliency factors. And even if it's just running around the house, doing push ups, crunches, whatever it may be, just letting out that steam and that negative energy. That's why sometimes they say things CAUTI is so ideal, because you George, exert all that negative energy into the ball and into the record. So definitely, physical fitness is a is a great addition to that. So
Braco Pobric
thanks for men. So I mentioned this physical fitness and the way that I was kind of breaking you down is one of the top 10 resiliency factors. But you can certainly combine it to you will be able to easily face fear, if you are fit and taking you're doing exercise every morning every day is really the key. I like to give that accorded me time to do it first thing in the morning for myself, that I take care of myself before I take care. But anybody else, but that's a good point. Right? That's a good point. Anything that works for you would be home could be outside could be, you know, whatever works for you, but certainly move a lot. You know, move Yes. Eat Well sleep well. You'll be in good shape.
Kareem Sheta
Definitely, definitely. As they say there's always a healthy mind and a healthy body. So that's just the reality of the situation.
Braco Pobric
Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Cool. So yeah, this was a great discussion. And for some of you folks that don't know, Kareem Kareem shatta was my is my former postal security mastermind coach students now is certified, and also his trainer and corporate trainer. And we actually do a lot of a lot of similar work these days and certainly bright too heavy, my friend.
Kareem Sheta
Really, thank you so much for inviting me. It's always a pleasure to be with you and to learn from you until this very day. So thank you so much.
Braco Pobric
Thanks. I'll talk to you soon become the life success academy founding member go to academy of life success.com and click on founding member to get 60% of full membership