Psychologists will tell you that a key motivator in life is fear. All people, especially leaders, must manage their behavior daily in dozens of different situations.

Much of our behavior, particularly our anxieties, are driven by conditioned responses. I’m not going to attempt to delve into the details of how they interrelate, but suffice it to say we respond to stimuli in such a way that our brains develop a pattern that make some of our actions almost reflexive in nature.

This is why most of us hate going to the dentist: While “George” was having a cavity filled by his dentist, the drill hit a nerve a couple of times that had not been dulled by anesthetic. Each time he cringed in pain. Our poor George now gets anxious each time he sees the dentist). Though this topic strays from my usual subjects, I am writing about it primarily for four reasons:

 1. Everyone experiences anxiety and how we handle it will influence our level of personal and professional fulfillment.

2. Having dealt with it in somewhat of an extreme sense – I’ll share more about what happened in my story below – I’ve invested quite a bit of time learning strategies for handling it.

3. Highly intelligent people (read many execs, consultants, successful entrepreneurs, and gifted creatives) are by some estimates seven times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder than a person of average intelligence.

4. We lead from our character and skills. That which makes one a more capable person makes him a better leader and businessperson.

If you happen to be thinking that anxiety disorders are what the “weak” experience you’re making what could be a life-altering mistake. Following is just a fraction of a list of familiar people known or believed to have suffered from one:

• Abraham Lincoln
• Alfred Lord Tennyson
• Burt Reynolds
• Earl Campbell
• Howard Stern
• Isaac Asimov
• John Madden
• Michael Crichton
• Nicole Kidman
• Paula Dean
• Sheryl Crow
• Sir Isaac Newton

 A 2006 Duke study found that 49% of US Presidents suffered mental illness in one form or another.

The idea of conditioned responses may bring Pavlov’s dog to mind, but I’ve come to lean hard on my newfound learning. The topics of conditioned responses and anxiety are huge in scope, and I’ve only delved into a sliver of what’s known about them, so I’m going to focus this post and the next on how I’ve learned to leverage a few techniques for better dealing with anxiety. Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed therapist…and I’ll never have the nerves of an extreme sports fanatic.

Here’s my story: To summarize a long and very difficult journey in a short space, almost three years ago I had a strong reaction to a sting of some kind (I don’t know what it was, probably a wasp) which forced to me to head to the ER. In order to counter the effect of the venom the doctors placed me on a highly-potent steroid (Medrol). To oversimplify a life-changing incident, Medrol “tripped a switch” within me that caused skyrocketing anxiety and a chemical imbalance. And I mean big time.

Looking for answers, I setup appointments with several doctors, but frankly the meetings weren’t very productive. So I battled it on my own. After fighting for over a year I eventually succumbed to panic disorder and developed agoraphobia, which brought on a bout with depression. I have a much clearer picture now of what it means to suffer.

I can’t really put into words how excruiatingly difficult the recovering process has been. But in truth I’m very fortunate – my problem has relatively little long term health effects, unlike others who suffer strokes, battle cancer, or wake up every day with an illness they will carry their whole life.

To help me overcome what had become debilitating fear I began regularly meeting with Dr. Stan Hibbs, author of Anxiety Gone and an expert on managing anxiety. (My feelings of the circumstances which lead to meeting two incredible people  – psychologist Stan Hibbs and psychiatrist Michael Lyles – are summed up best by George Washington’s quote, “By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected…”)

Here’s the meat of what Hibbs first teaches:

1. You don’t have to suffer. Millions of people have an enemy that keeps them from feeling relaxed and confident and achieving their full potential – unnecessary anxiety. (The word “anxiety” used to seem to me like it carried an overly intimidating connotation. Maybe I’m alone in feeling this way, but, if you prefer, call what you experience fear, worry, or even panic.)
2. Imagine what your life could be like if you mastered your anxiety. Write a detailed “pay-off” list of how your life would be better if you weren’t weighted down by fears. (For example I can speak confidently in public, experiencing the fulfillment that comes from sharing insights that might help others. Or, I can enjoy the thrill of adventure and exploration without fear of panic.)

Next Post: Part II – Overcoming Anxiety – 3 Steps to Freedom