Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers Summary
Susan Jeffers' transformative guide dismantles your deepest fear: "I can't handle it." Endorsed by top entrepreneurs worldwide and selling millions since 1987, this psychological masterpiece offers a counterintuitive truth: decisions aren't right or wrong - they're pathways to growth. What could you accomplish fearlessly?
About the author
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. (1942–2020), was a pioneering self-help expert and New York Times bestselling author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, a landmark work in personal development literature.
A clinical psychologist and motivational speaker, Jeffers specialized in fear management and empowerment strategies, drawing from her Columbia University doctorate and decades of counseling experience.
Her 17 books, including End the Struggle and Dance with Life and Embracing Uncertainty, blend practical psychology with spiritual insights, translated into 38 languages across 100+ countries.
Dubbed "the Queen of Self-Help" by The Times (UK) in 2004, Jeffers appeared frequently on Oprah and global media platforms, championing her signature "Fearbuster" philosophy. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway alone has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, remaining a touchstone in resilience training and corporate leadership programs decades after its 1987 debut.
FAQs About This Book
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers teaches readers to confront fear by shifting mindset, embracing uncertainty, and taking purposeful action. It identifies core fears like failure or rejection and provides strategies like reframing self-talk, making "no-lose decisions," and building self-trust. The book emphasizes that fear diminishes when we focus on our ability to handle challenges.
This book is ideal for anyone facing career changes, relationship challenges, or personal growth barriers. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and individuals struggling with decision-making or anxiety will find actionable tools to overcome paralysis. Susan Jeffers’ advice resonates with those seeking confidence to navigate life’s uncertainties.
Yes—it’s a timeless self-help classic praised for its practicality. Readers gain frameworks like the Pain-to-Power Chart and techniques to reframe fear as empowerment. With over 30 years of enduring relevance, it’s recommended for its actionable steps to build resilience.
Key concepts include:
- “I can’t handle it” as the root fear.
- No-lose decisions: Every choice offers growth.
- Power vs. pain mindset: Shifting from helplessness to proactive action.
- Expanding comfort zones: Fear lessens with repeated exposure.
Notable lines:
- “Feel the fear and do it anyway” (core mantra).
- “The quicker you let go…the sooner you find new cheese” (adaptability).
- “Whether you think you can or can’t—you’re right” (Henry Ford, highlighting mindset).
Jeffers advises embracing uncertainty by focusing on “What’s the worst that can happen?” and trusting your resilience. Techniques like visualizing success and breaking goals into actionable steps help navigate career pivots confidently.
Some argue its approach oversimplifies deep-seated anxiety, lacking clinical depth. However, most praise its straightforward, motivational style for providing immediate tools rather than theoretical analysis.
While The Power of Now focuses on mindfulness, Jeffers’ work emphasizes behavioral action despite fear. Both advocate self-empowerment, but Feel the Fear prioritizes practical steps over spiritual philosophy.
This framework teaches shifting from victimhood (pain) to self-efficacy (power). For example, replacing “I have to” with “I choose to” reframes obligations as intentional decisions, reducing helplessness.
Amid AI-driven job shifts and societal uncertainty, its lessons on adaptability and courage remain critical. The book’s focus on embracing change aligns with modern challenges like career reinvention and digital transformation.
Jeffers authored Feel the Fear...and Beyond, which expands on the original with exercises like the 30-Day Power Planner. It reinforces core principles while addressing relationships, abundance, and gratitude.
Jeffers suggests:
- Normalize fear: Even experts feel nervous.
- Prepare thoroughly: Reduce unknowns.
- Visualize success: Mentally rehearse confidence.
- Act “as if”: Fake confidence until it feels natural.
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway Summary in 8 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 12 Insights from Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway in a Nutshell
Distill Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories
Experience Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12
117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
201
16"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
See More Stories?
Get the Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.
