Go to the following website and thoroughly read this article on Fear by Rick Beneteau: Know No Fear

Also, If you haven't already, be sure to read the fear section of managing emotions found in chapter 8 of your textbook.

Based on all this great information on courage, risk-taking, and fear, I would like you to think of something that you are quite nervous or afraid of doing. Not just something with a tiny bit of fear, but something big that you know should be done, but you have been avoiding it for quite a while because your fears of what might or might not happen are stopping you. It is something that is definitely outside of your comfort zones.

Your assignment is to break through your fear and take a risk. Do that thing that you have feared. Don't just go through the motions, do the whole thing. If it doesn’t cause you to leave your comfort zone, that wasn’t the thing you fear. Decide on something that causes you to want to back off just from the thought of it.

Begin this activity by describing (using your word processor) the thing you fear doing. Relate your thoughts and feelings about why this seems to be fearful for you.

Next, do that thing. Do the whole thing. Don't just consider doing it. Don't partially do it. Do it all!

After you have completed the assignment type your experience, from beginning to end, of going for it and doing the thing you really feared.

Also, describe any insights you gained about that particular fear and your thoughts about it. Describe any insights you have gained about your own fears in general.

Remember Shakespeare’s line on fear: "Our doubts are traitors and cause us to lose the good we oft might win for fearing to attempt." Go for it.

Examples of students' fears from previous classes:

	ask somebody out on a date
	quit a job
	confront someone
	forgive someone
	interview for a job
	speak in a public meeting
	go rock climbing (fear of heights)
	change majors
	hold a snake, spider, or other furry animal
	Mend a broken relationship
	tell someone who you have avoided that you love him or her and open up to that person about your feelings
	Visit someone you don't know very well and get to know him or her better

NOTES:

You may have already done something previously that you felt was quite fearful. That's great! For this assignment do something that you have not yet done.

Of course, integrity goes a long way here. You could easily just make up something and win your precious points. But that would be silly, wouldn't it!

You may ask what this has to do with stress management and why am I giving you something that only increases your stress levels. Breaking through fears and taking risks is like a muscle. The more you do it, the more easy doing more fearful things becomes in the future, and the less stressful they seem. When you are no longer stopped by your fears, not only have you have gained a huge upper hand on stress, but you also become free - free to face anything that gets between you and your dreams. Get hooked on this idea and there is no limit to what you can become and attain! 

So go for it!

The due date for this assignment will not be this week's due date for your work, but next week's. This will give you sufficient time to really select something that moves you out beyond the edge of your comfort zone.

Once you have completed this assignment fully and written all about it using your word processor, transfer your work to the appropriate box and submit it.