‘Deployment’ Necessary to Overcome Limiting Self Talk

Alexandra Kharazi

“Have you ever wondered what distinguishes those who thrive in stressful situations from those who survive them,” Alexandra Kharazi asked me, before answering, “You may think its innate, but surprisingly, the difference is in mindset. Turns out that our perspective profoundly alters our relationship with stress and fear.”

Kharazi is a cardiothoracic surgeon, skydiver and the founder of The Heart of Motivation Consulting.

She’s also the author of “The Heart of Fear: A Surgeon’s Collection of Stories on Adversity, Passion and Perseverance,” which explores the mindset of people who work in high-risk, high-stress careers and the techniques they use to navigate obstacles and hardships.

Her findings could be encouraging to readers as she says the necessary mindset to thrive, not just survive, believe it or not, “can be learned.”

“Do you think fear is holding you back? You’re not alone,” Kharazi says. “Risk-averse thought patterns are hardwired into humans through evolution.

“It protected our ancestors from predators. However, it can work against us, keeping us from expressing our authentic selves and holding us back from taking the risks needed to achieve our goals and up-level in our personal and professional lives.”

The book, she asserts, is for people who are “curious about how to break free from fear-based decision-making.”

Evolving through that type of thinking, judgment and decision-making must begin with understanding how we became that way.

“How we adapt is mostly learned from those around us, and I am no different, Kharazi says, elaborating that “I share what I have learned through a series of interviews involving people in careers like healthcare, skydiving and stunt driving.”

The book marketing promises to provide insight on navigating risk in the face of fear and provide techniques on how readers can ultimately work through false conclusions.

“Transcending the limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our goals hinges on the concept that our thoughts shape our reality,” Kharazi says. “Limiting beliefs are often self-imposed. For many, it is internalized criticism that we now accept as reality. To change that belief, the original thought must be reworked.”

This challenge can be addressed through a special process that she calls “Mindset coordinates: We must learn where we are to see where to go next. We must first recognize the negative thoughts to change them and generate positive, empowering beliefs.”

Readers of the book might be surprised to learn that “There is a thin line between your comfort zone and a prison of inaction that keeps you trapped,” Kharazi says, adding that, “Forging a positive relationship with risk and harnessing the power of your fears is a mindset shift that can be learned.”

Adversity, passion and perseverance can move mountains as people travel through their lives. It starts with a certain step, Kharazi proposes.

“In skydiving, deployment refers to throwing out your pilot chute, which opens the main container and releases the main parachute,” she says. “However, this can be applied to all areas of life.”

She elaborates on the word — and that process of — deployment. She calls it “the first step necessary to reach a desired outcome.”

She connect it to the book.

“The Heart of Fear,” was written for those who are ready to deploy,” Kharazi says. “Are you ready to take the first step to a mindset shift that dispels fear and shatters your limiting beliefs.”