An interesting Facebook Memory popped up in my main feed.
6 years ago today, I stepped into a cage with three 400 pound tigers in Thailand.
This moment was about the most terrifying experience in my life. Each tiger was raised around humans and bonded with their handlers, Well-fed, sleek and satiated, the tigers were hardly wild but make no mistake; the massive felines are not domesticated. Any of these nearly full grown tigers would break any human's neck within 1-2 seconds. I have seen YouTube videos of a tiger breaking a fully-grown buffaloes neck like it was a rag doll.
Even in a non-litigious place like Thailand – the national saying is basically, “No worries, stuff happens.” – which is a complete 180 from lawsuit happy USA, the waiver we signed to be with the tigers literally was about as thick as the Bible. I am not kidding.
The terror coursing through my veins as I stepped into the cage made me want to jump out of my skin. But the more fearless, clear, bold feeling I felt after 10 minutes with these apex predators improved every aspect of my life, going forward.
Here I am with my wife and one of the massive cats.
Tiger Time
My wife walked into the cage fearlessly. She loves all felines from 5 pound tabbies to 400 pound tigers. The Thai trainers-handlers laughed at me as I stood outside the cage. Imagine a “Hey you're a chicken!” teasing-type deal.
I smiled and figured if my wife could do it, so could I. I stepped into the cage being filled with horror at countless scenarios of 3 tigers ripping me to shreds and consuming me. The handler locked the cage. Fear intensified.
As I slowly walked towards the relaxed tigers, my fear lessened a tiny bit. Never making eye contact, to avoid challenging these fierce beasts, I slowly began to pet one of the tigers. My fear subsided a bit more. One kitty stood up and walked beside me. His head was wider than my upper body and reached my chest level. Impressive, considering I am 6 feet tall with an athletic, solid build.
After 10 minutes, I left the cage with my wife. I conquered a deep fear.
How About You?
How do you nudge into your deep fears? What steps do you take routinely to face, feel and release deep fears?
I experienced greater business success after Tiger Time because I was less burdened with deep, pulsating fears such as the fear of death. Most entrepreneurs fail because they fear running out of money, being homeless and starving on a deeper, subconscious level, being mired in survival mode. But if you purposely nudge into the fear of death you release this energy partially and become more clear, bold and opportunistic with your business.
Be with one deep fear today. Become intimate with the sensation.
Leave your comfort zone. Fun, freedom and bliss lie just outside of your comfort zone.
Live your dreams.
Nudge into your fears.
