Very few worthwhile things can be achieved without some sort of plan. We need a plan to measure how we’re doing compared with the target or goal that we’ve set. You must include in your aim or  outcome, some  stages and strategies along the way. What you must always try to remember is that despite whatever you feel, and however bad things may seem to be, the probability is  that you will overcome your fear if you stick at it. To anyone with a fear of flying the biggest obstacle to getting a plan to overcome the fear is the constant reminder of that fear. Even though your a plan may  remind you constantly  of your fear, the fact is that to overcome your fear of flying…

• You must have a plan

• You must be prepared for setbacks

• You must remember that most people overcome their fear of flying

For many fearful fliers it seems easier to ignore it and imagine that a ‘cure’ will appear miraculously or that if you ignore it…then it will go away. These thoughts and actions are very reasonable, after all, this is what having a fear all is about. But ignoring your fear will not cure it or make it go away. You have to face your fear…but now you can face it with us.

Regardless of how you feel now you the first action and commitment that you should make is that you’ll start as soon as you can. There are no rules that say you have to start now but do set yourself a broad timetable. CD 4 of the Audio Set suggests a strategy to overcome your fear. Rather than set a definite objective or goal define your aims more generally think of a general outcome rather than an actual target. Think only of the benefits to overcoming your fears… not the obstacles. Let’s relate this to climbing a mountain. Regarding a successful outcome just think of climbing a part of the mountain…not reaching the summit in one go. Getting to the summit in one attempt is not the plan…getting further up each time is the plan. But you have to know, clearly and recognizably what the nature of your fear is. What actually causes the feelings of fear? What are the thoughts that go on to make you react to being in a plane? You’ll need to sit down and write down all the thoughts and feelings that you have about flying from beginning to end. Read them through when ever you have the confidence to do so. Maybe a friend or partner could go through it with you…or you could write  your own story on the Fear of Flying Forum. Get used to what your fears are. Only then can you defeat them. The confusion of thoughts needs to be organised so that you can recognise and understand them. Then  you can deal with them in a clear state of mind. After that, you’ll need to decide how you’re going to deal with each bit of your fear. For instance, you might want to start with fact-finding, or you might need to find out about relaxation techniques or you might want to try to see things from a different viewpoint. There may be other things that you’ll want to think about, experiences, family influences, peer pressure. What is certain is that there won’t be a miracle cure…and even if there were such a thing, remember that it’s likely to go as quickly as it came. Our Fear of Flying products will help you because whether you want to read listen or watch, we’ve got something to suit you.

Be prepared to work hard to overcome your fear, expect set backs but keep notes of your progress so that you can re-build from any point if and when they happen. You can not ‘hope’ to overcome your fear, you’ll have to work at it. But have confidence, that like countless other people you will overcome your fear of flying and visiting this site is an excellent first step. Keep visiting, make contacts on the forum and become familiar with air travel, in fact make it as ‘normal’ as you can. And a perfect second step is to rethink your ideas about air travel… why not think of taking a flight to somewhere near on a low cost airline and return by train or get a friend to pick you up and drive you home if you can’t make the return flight…however it’s much better to think of  it more positively, and plan on doing both flights. Flying doesn’t have to be on a holiday or business trip…your next flight might be part of the process of dealing with your fear. Take a low cost flight somewhere. What ever you invest in effort and money in overcoming your fear of flying you will find that it’s time, money and effort that is very well spent.