Doc Ali

Create an Oscar-Worthy Life

When I talk about my work as a peak-performance consultant, people often ask, "You have such a wide variety of clients. What do the U.S.Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team and actor Scott Baio have in common?" I tell them it's the same thing we all struggle with: fear.

Whether you're a gymnast commanding a 4-inch-wide balance beam to win a gold medal, a TV star playboy struggling with commitment or an entrepreneur looking to open a new business, it's all about facing your fears and living a 100-percent-committed life.

When I was in graduate school studying psychology, I became aware how much fear and worry controlled me. Thoughts like, "I'm not smart enough," "It will never work" or "This situation is horrible" filled my mind. I confided my struggle to one of my favorite professors at University of Oregon. After we finished discussing my classes, I got up the courage to ask, "Do you ever feel like the chatter in your mind controls you? How do I stop dwelling on my limiting thoughts?"

A smile crossed his lips. "Sometimes, on my property in the forest-no matter how hot, cold or rainy it is-I take off all of my clothes and I run," he said. "I run through the trees as fast as I can, and I scream at the top of my lungs. That's how I feel alive and let go of negative thinking."

I was somewhat taken aback. I thought about asking him if he had any other suggestions. But I didn't. I laughed, and he did, too. I knew what he was saying was true. Sometimes you have to take off your armor. Take off your fear. Take off all of the beliefs telling you that you're not good enough or you'll do that special something when the kids are older.

Life is too short to keep telling yourself these lies. Once you decide you aren't willing to "clothe" yourself in fear, all you'll want to do is scream your life, love, joy and positivity. The following steps will help you get out of your fear and into your life.

DO NOT BELIEVE YOUR THOUGHTS

We often hear the exclamation, "You're out of your mind!" Actually, being out of your mind is one of the best places to be. The mind is like a monkey, running around getting into trouble most of the time.

When I work with athletes, we talk about this monkey taking "field trips" into fear, doubt, worry and other unpleasant emotions. Out of the many thoughts you have every day, begin to question which ones serve you and which are simply old tapes filling you with negative messages.

In her book Loving What Is, Byron Katie talks about being curious about one's own thoughts and asking ourselves four important questions: Is that thought true? How can you absolutely know it's true? How do you act in the world when you believe that thought? Who would you be if you did not believe that thought?

Most of us are unaware of the multitude of lies we constantly tell ourselves. Today, practice examining any thought that causes you an unpleasant feeling and ask yourself, "Is that true?" You may be surprised how many times it isn't.

CREATE A CLEAR VISION

Everything begins with a vision. A vision is a thoroughly mapped-out view of who you are and what you want. What is your dream? Is it a business, a new home or a relationship? When you create a vision, imagine the event as if it has already occurred. What is your new office like? How do you walk into it?

To make something happen, your goals can't be only in your mind but also in your view as much as possible. write out your dream on paper in specific detail. Make a vision board of pictures and words reflecting your amazing vision. Then, once you have it written so clearly that you can feel it inside your body, the next step is to be it.

It's vital that you not only have a clear picture of what you want, but also of who you are, walking through life as if you already have it. Step out into the world as if you already lost that 20 pounds, have the perfect relationship or just won the lottery. Watch for ways your vision is becoming reality.

GET INTO THE NOW

The present is an amazing place to be. Actually, it's the only place to be. When we get caught up in the busy-ness of the mind, we're not really living. We're really not even in this world. We're in a fantasy world of past and future.

What do you miss when you're not in the present moment? The beauty of a flower, listening to your spouse's story, connecting with the checkout clerk. These are all things that are lost when we resist the moment. Being in the present means you're 100 percent committed to what you're doing at that moment. I call this living the 100-percent-committed life.

For example, when you're having a conversation with your child, be totally with him or her and listening-not looking through the mail or talking and planning what to do about dinner. When you're planning a presentation, let there be nothing else in your world but that planning.

When we live in the present, we allow ourselves to experience the Technicolor juiciness of our lives. We soak in all that life has to offer, both the pain and the pleasure. Life is too precious to miss a moment. Magic is all around you. It becomes special when you recognize its sweetness and beauty.

GET ON THE RIDE

I sat with Scott Baio as he talked about the many fears in his life. Being a father to a new baby girl. Afraid of his upcoming wedding. Fearing his playboy life was over for good. As we sat together, we discussed life as a rollercoaster.

"You're so obsessed in your fear, you're not even living the best part of your life," I told him. "You have a new baby. This should be one of your happiest moments and you're not even in it. It's like you're standing in front of a rollercoaster and you won't even get on the ride."

He hesitantly admitted that was true. His worry was controlling him. As I said to Scott, you can ride the rollercoaster holding on for dear life with your eyes closed or you can ride eyes open with your arms in the air. But the most important thing is to get on the ride. "Get on the ride" became Scott's mantra for the next six weeks as he faced his fears, taking the biggest risks he had ever taken.

Life is an amazing, crazy, beautiful experience. Living the "scream and run naked" life means getting out of your fear and trusting your life. You're the star of this movie. Make it an Academy Award winner, and trust that everything is moving exactly as it should be. Take a risk and get on the ride.

Dr. Alison "Doc Ali" Arnold is internationally known as a fear liberator, inspiring people everywhere to "take off" limiting beliefs and "scream" their greatness. Doc Ali has coached Olympic Athletes, Fortune 500 companies and celebrities. She recently appeared on VH1's Scott Baio is 45 ... and Single and can be seen this season on Charm School. Doc Ali can be heard on KXAM's Perfect Game Radio every second Saturday of the month.

www.screamandrunnaked.com