“I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt outlines a practical, action-based strategy for overcoming fear. Rather than waiting for fear to subside before taking action, she encourages us to face fear directly through repeated experience. The key, she explains, is persistence: by doing what we fear again and again, we build a personal history of success that gradually replaces anxiety with confidence.
Roosevelt had firsthand experience with this principle. As a young woman, she struggled with shyness and insecurity, but she forced herself into public speaking and leadership roles. Over time, her steady confrontation with fear transformed her into a powerful and respected public figure. Her insight reflects a belief that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it—and to keep acting until fear loses its grip.
This advice remains deeply relevant in everyday life, from personal growth to professional development. Whether someone fears public speaking, change, or failure, Roosevelt’s approach teaches that confidence is built through action, not avoidance. Each step forward creates a “record of successful experience,” reinforcing the belief that fear can be conquered—not suddenly, but through steady, deliberate effort.
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