Fear prevents many people from succeeding in life. Fear results from unfulfilled desires and causes worry, which paralyzes action. The basic obstacles of fear are worry, lack of confidence, lack of persistence, and failure to take action. Causes of fear include anxiety, nervousness, worry, and phobias. Symptoms of fear are tense muscles, dry mouth, pounding heart, fast and slow breathing, and disturbed speech. To overcome fear, one must think positively, avoid fearing things and instead identify the source of fear, have trust and confidence in oneself, and control one's mind through exercise, deep breathing, questioning fears, and facing fears through involvement in feared activities.