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Recommended

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

by Susan Jeffers

Fear won't go away while you keep growing, so learn to act alongside it. A classic on courage.

  • Published 1987
  • Easy read
  • Practical guidance
  • 2 min analysis
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Introduction

Susan Jeffers was a psychologist and author whose 1987 book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway became an international bestseller. She argues that fear is a normal part of growth and that the goal isn't to eliminate it but to move forward despite it.

The book offers practical exercises for changing negative self-talk, taking responsibility and making decisions without fear of 'wrong' choices.

Who should read this book?

Anyone held back by fear of change, failure or rejection.

Helps with: Bounce back from setbacks, Build confidence

The central message

Fear will always accompany growth. Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the helplessness of avoiding it.

Key ideas and concepts

  1. Five truths about fear

    Fear will never go away as long as you continue to grow; the only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to do it.

  2. Pain to power

    Move from helplessness to choice and responsibility.

  3. Positive self-talk

    Replace 'the chatterbox' of negative thoughts with supportive words.

  4. No-lose decisions

    See each option as an opportunity to learn, so no choice is truly wrong.

  5. Say yes to life

    Accepting what happens and finding value in it builds resilience.

Deeper analysis

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is a warm, practical classic whose core idea, act with fear rather than waiting for it to vanish, anticipates later evidence-based approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Its 'no-lose' decision model is especially freeing.

The book is dated in places and leans on affirmations, which have mixed research support. Some advice may feel simplistic for people with anxiety disorders, who may need professional help. Still, its message has helped many people take important steps.

Practical applications

  • Write down one thing you avoid out of fear.
  • Take one small step toward it this week.
  • Replace one negative self-talk phrase.
  • Frame a decision as a no-lose choice.
  • List what you'd learn from each option.

Your 7-day action plan

  1. Day 1

    Name your fears.

  2. Day 2

    Pick one to face.

  3. Day 3

    Take a small step.

  4. Day 4

    Practise supportive self-talk.

  5. Day 5

    Make a no-lose decision.

  6. Day 6

    Reflect on what you learned.

  7. Day 7

    Plan the next step.

Outcomes to expect

What readers who apply this book can realistically take away from it:

  • Courage to act despite fear
  • More decisive choices
  • Supportive self-talk
  • Sense of personal power

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • Warm, practical classic
  • Freeing no-lose decision model
  • Anticipates evidence-based approaches
  • Encouraging

Limitations

  • Dated in places
  • Relies on affirmations
  • May be simplistic for anxiety disorders

Reflection questions

  1. What are you avoiding out of fear?
  2. What would you do if fear came along but didn't stop you?
  3. How does your chatterbox talk to you?
  4. What could you learn from each option?

About the author

Susan Jeffers

Psychologist and author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.

Full profile and books

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Book details (title, author, year) are factual. Everything under the headings above is MindsetProdigy's own editorial analysis and interpretation, written to help you decide whether to read the book and how to apply it. It is not a substitute for reading the book itself. Last updated September 30, 2026.