Be Brave: 3 Ways to Practice Courage

Deciding to have a child took about all the courage I could muster and even then I was afraid. Even then I didn’t think I had enough. Even then, I did it anyhow.

It’s the same with writing this blog, being honest and vulnerable, it’s scary. It has required me to face some of my fears and do it anyhow.

I need courage every time the dermatologist combs every inch of skin looking for the melanoma that has been there before. I need courage when I approach a new editor with a new idea and also when I question something my mechanic said.

Courage isn’t just about leaping out of airplanes or rappelling off cliffs. It’s also the mettle we need to manage daily challenges and dilemmas. Good news is we all have some degree of courage (yet few of us define the strength we need to cope with adversity as courage) and we can become more courageous. It is something we can learn and develop.

The kind of courage I’m talking about shows up when we say “yes” though we’d rather say “no.”  It’s about trying something new even when you might look silly. It’s the courage needed to stand up to authority — your doctor, your boss, your Mom — when it’s important to do so.  Sometimes, it’s about speaking out when no one else is talking.

With courage we can be present to those niggling challenges and respond from a place of compassion and awareness and integrity. When we take a courageous action, we are usually motivated by something deeper, a greater purpose.  We are willing to risk something in order to take  a stand for something that matters to us.

And while it feels scary for sure, the kind of courage we need each day doesn’t usually require us to leap without a net. Here are some ways to practice:

1. Step out of the routine. Try something new every day. Taking small risks helps you prepare for bigger ones by boosting your confidence and reminding you that you are already courageous.

2. Give an “A” for effort. Give yourself credit for facing your fears and taking action — whether you like the outcome or not. When you stand up for what matters to you you’ll know that you can face other challenges with strength.

3. Be present. Often we stop ourselves from taking risks or action by projecting future outcomes. Not a good idea. Stay in the moment. Breathe deep. Be aware of how your body feels. Experience the emotions and move toward what’s important now without worry about what happens next.

And then get prepared. Being courageous sometimes requires you to slow down and sit with a situation  before making a move. Courage is not reckless.

If you’re planning to start a new business, be courageous enough to look at the logistics and investment required to make it successful before you kiss your old job goodbye.

The Big Wigs are quick to point out that often the people we most associate with courage in our culture – firefighters, police officers, doctors — also have the most training. They are prepared — ahead of time. That way,  when courage is required they are ready to step up and face the challenge with their best skills. You can too.

Learn how to communicate your ideas effectively, so when it’s time to speak up you can. Write down your goals, so when you must quit your job, you know what to do next. Outline what you want and need in a marriage and communicate that with your partner, so you are ready to take the plunge.  Establish a household budget so you know what it will take to maintain a new home, then move forward. You’ll still need a hefty dose of courage to take on any new life challenges, but with practice and preparation, you’ll be ready.

Bonus Material:

Bestselling author and wise woman Debbie Ford delves into this topic in a big way in her newest book COURAGE: OVERCOMING FEAR AND IGNITING SELF-CONFIDENCE, to be released tomorrow. After facing her own fears head on, Ford shares a personal and practical approach that will help us release our fears and step into our stronger, more confident selves.

“…I learned that there is a part of us that has been there all along that even in what appears to be our darkest hour possesses boundless confidence and courage. We must only open our minds and most importantly our hearts to this part of us,” she writes.

Like all of her books, this is definitely one worth checking out. Find it here: http://thecouragebook.com/

 

 

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