Some people embrace change. They take on the challenge of graduating, moving to a new city, searching for a job or breaking up with a significant other with the same amount of anxiety one might expect from someone taking a new exercise class.

While I’ve always wanted to be the person that views a major life change as being a joyous challenge– something on par to say hiking a mountain or mastering a headstand– the truth is that for me change can be a paralyzing fear.

Unfortunately, the universe is constantly moving and change isn’t something I can avoid. More often then not, just as soon as I find myself becoming comfortable something comes along to shake me out of my birds nest.

Life is constant state of evolution and learning to adapt is a survival skill.

Here are 5 ways to fearlessly embrace change so that when life shakes you out of your nest… instead of falling… you can fly.

1. Acknowledge that change is essential.

Change is a necessary evil for a productive life. It’s the opposite of stasis. Without it we’d stay in our tired routines with the same experiences, same relationships statuses and same beliefs. Think about the goals you want to achieve and the person you want to be 10 years down the road. Will you achieve that if everything about your life stays exactly the same? Chances are… probably not. You GROW into the person you want to be.

2. Realize that fear of change is really the fear of the unknown.

Anxiety develops when we perceive a threat but believe that we will be unable to deal with that threat. Our greatest fear about change in our lives is that we’ll be unable to cope with the results. Realize that you’re really afraid of something intangible, a future that hasn’t happened yet. How silly it is to fear “fear itself?”

3. Stop believing that you “can’t”

From running marathons to climbing Mount Everest, people all over the world accomplish great things because they refuse to listen to the voice that tells them they can’t do it. Great achievements are only made when one attempts to do what others deem impossible. Imagine what you could accomplish if you banished your self doubt.

4. Think about the last time you had to do something new

Did you succeed? Great. Did you struggle a bit? Even better. If you tried something new and didn’t succeed chances are that you learned something from it and that makes the endeavor worthwhile. See! You’ve done something new before and survived. Not so scary now is it?

5. Willingly dive head first.

Change is inevitable regardless of your eagerness to participate. You can either be pushed out of the nest or you can take the jump on your own terms. It’s easier to face new transitions in life when you are the one initiating them.

So jump out of that nest. You only learn to fly with your feet off the ground.

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