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Fear is a common obstacle to fulfilling dreams, keeping New Year resolutions and achieving goals. We fear what we don't understand. We fear being embarrassed or humiliated. We fear making and failing to keep the same New Year resolution over and over again. We fear change. We fear being hurt. Fear comes in all shapes and sizes and it strikes each and every one of us. It is an often emotional, irrational reaction to life. It is often larger than life, since it's so easy to blow things out of proportion when you're afraid.

Fear is an uncomfortable feeling and we often avoid pleasant, positive things because we're 'afraid'. When you get hurt in romance often enough, it's easy to avoid dating, or intimate relationships. It's easy to become less trusting and open about feelings and emotions. Likewise, when you burn your hand on a stove you avoid making that mistake again because it hurts. It's true, burning your hand on a stove is a less complex fear to deal with than fear in relationships. I mention them because they illustrate two totally different, but common, kinds of 'fear'.

So how to avoid 'fear of failure and fear of success' when you are working toward a dream, or thinking about 'making that leap of faith' and pursuing a dream? There is no one, simple, easy answer, but here are some common sense suggestions:

1. Recognize when 'fear' is getting in the way, or 'stalling' a dream. Fear of failure can immobilize a person. Perhaps you keep making the same mistake and you're afraid of 'failing again'. At that point, maybe it's time to seek the advice of a trusted friend, mentor, or teacher who can view the situation from an un-biased, non-emotional perspective. If you seek advice from an 'expert', even better. For instance, if you're trying to get in shape a personal trainer can help you to devise an exercise program that works for you. Don't 'go it alone'. Seek input.

2. Recognize when 'fear' is being caused by a lack of 'knowledge' or 'skill'. Again, this plays into fear of failure. If you educate yourself before you begin work on a dream - and continue that education-process throughout your journey - you'll have more control over your plan of action, and each and every step that you take toward achieving your dream. You can move forward from a position of strength and courage. Knowledge is power!

3. Recognize when 'fear of success' is holding you back. Success often creates large and small changes in a person's life. Instead of celebrating the victories, the fulfillment,

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