How To Be More Courageous
Before becoming an entrepreneur, the word courage never resonated with me any more than any other word. It was just kind of there. Sure, I probably used it now and then, and I’m sure that I exemplified it a few times, but outside of that, I didn’t have a true understanding of the word or how it could make a difference in my life.
Until I made my leap into entrepreneurship.
When entering the world of self-employment, you will find that “courage” is mentioned constantly. It appears in almost every podcast that talks about a successful person’s beginning. It’s underneath each story of tears and triumph. And when you find yourself smack dab in the middle of a time when you have to muster all of yours up, you develop an intense admiration for anyone who has risen beyond it.
But what does it mean to be more courageous? How can courage make a difference in your life? How can you begin to not only understand this powerful word, but embrace and accept it into your own life and navigate the obstacles life has in store for you? Let’s start with what this word is and why it matters to embrace it in the first place.
To me, the foundation of being courageous is in its definition: the ability to do something that frightens you.
What it means to be courageous.
To me, the foundation of being courageous is in its definition: the ability to do something that frightens you.
But it’s easy to think that courage is synonymous with being fearless.
Why? Because the outcome is the same.
When someone is fearless, they do the scary thing.
When someone is courageous, they do the scary thing.
Both courage and fearlessness produce the same outcome: doing the thing. What’s different is the associated mindset/feelings.
I have caught myself a few times using the word “fearlessly” when telling stories, and I correct myself when I do. Because fearlessness is, in the general sense, not relatable. Talk about being fearless when doing something, and you have immediately created a separation from most of your listeners. They may look at you in awe, but relate to you? Not quite.
Fearlessness does not resonate with the fearful.
Courage does.
Why is being courageous important?
Ok, let’s rewind about 30 years right now. Does anyone remember the Full House episode when Stephanie is afraid to get a cavity filled? Joey assures her that she can do it by telling her that the hangy ball in the back of her throat is her “courage hangy ball.” Because her courage was located right in the very place that she was most fearful of, she was brave enough to quiet her fear and get her cavity filled.
Being courageous, rather than avoiding fear, allows you to accomplish things that are in your best interest. Getting a cavity filled, speaking up in a meeting, asking for the sale—these are all examples of behaviors that are easy to avoid but carry big rewards.
If Stephanie did not get her filling, continue to fear going to the dentist and avoid going entirely, she would have a mouthful of problems right now. If you lean into your fear of trying something new, asking for what you want, not confronting the issues in your life: you might be comfortable for some time, but one day you’re going to be faced with a life you’re really not stoked about leading.
That is why being courageous is important. To create a life that truly makes you proud, you’re going to have to get courageous.
Here are 5 steps to choosing courage in your everyday life:
You gotta want it.
You cannot become more courageous by running away from everything that scares you. Instead, you have to want to change. When you want to change, you are determined to do so. And to get to the bottom of what it really is that is holding you back.
Last year when I recognized that I was not making the courageous moves that I knew I was capable of, I hired a coach. I knew she would push me to get out of my comfort zone and take action. And she did just that.
Having a deep desire (AKA wanting it) is going to be the very thing that pushes you to figure out how you’re going to embrace courage and go for it.
When you are faced with wanting a desired outcome, but not making the moves to reach that outcome, recognizing that and wanting to change is the first step.
2. Jot Down Next Steps
Now that you’ve decided that being courageous is important to you, walk through what that will look like by listing out 3 actions you would take if you were courageous.
Once you have your three actions, move onto the next step.
3. Play out the worst-case scenario
Continuing our journaling exercise, play out your worst case scenario. If you were to take the three actions above, what is the worst that can happen?
Oftentimes, the reason why we don’t make courageous moves is because we aren’t even clear what we are afraid of. But when we take time to write out our worst-case scenario, it becomes apparent that the most negative possible outcome really isn’t that bad. Keep in mind also that whatever you do build out to be your worst-case scenario will likely be highly improbable.
And do not get me wrong – being courageous sometimes feels like you will spontaneously combust. But the really great news is that you won’t. I promise.
4. Play out the best-case scenario
Okay, now the fun part. Do the same thing above, except play out the best case scenario. Answer these questions as you do so:
What is the best that can happen?
How could this change your life?
How could this change other’s lives?
What will you be able to do next, once you do this hard thing?
When we play out the best case scenario, it usually ignites a little tingly courage fire in us that becomes difficult to ignore.
5. Just give yourself 20 seconds
Oh, Jennifer Allwood, how I love that you gave me this on the day that I needed it: “Just give yourself 20 seconds of insane courage to do what you are afraid to do” came from an episode where she was featured on Amy Porterfield’s podcast.
It made me recognize that most of the time, 20 seconds of insane courage is all you need.
Those 20 seconds could be confiding in a friend or significant other the business that you dream of starting.
It could be signing up for a marathon before you are ready to begin training for it.
It could be texting a friend who you haven’t spoken to in years, but you miss them.
It could be enrolling in Solopreneur School, while you are still working full-time for your corporate employer.
It could be anything.
If you read my Everygirl feature, you will learn that for me, it was getting out my credit card and purchasing a $4,000 coaching course. This declared to myself, and the world (even if you didn’t know it yet!) that I was serious about starting a business, and that I was going to do it.
Just try giving yourself 20 seconds of insane courage to do what you are afraid to do.
And I promise: you will feel so relieved afterward that you did the hard thing.
So there you go! Five tips to embracing your courage in your everyday life. And do you want to know the best byproduct of being courageous? It is that it will spark courageousness in others. When others become bystanders of the big moves you are making, they will become inspired to do the same. They may not all go out of their way and tell you (some will!) but they will be inspired, and it will cause them to make moves in their own life.
So next time you have the opportunity to be courageous, know how much of a benefit it will be to you, and to the others around you, to make the courageous move.
And if this at all was helpful to you or inspired you, please let me know so I can share your courageousness with others. Courage really is contagious, so anyway I can possibly spread the courage bug, I am honored to do so.
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