Find Your Courage
Many people assume that courage is equal to fearlessness. That thinking is faulty; the truth is courage involves taking action despite any fear you feel. It is your willingness to act despite any anxiety or worry.
To be courageous, it’s important to understand your fear and then refuse to let the fear keep you from taking action. When a person allows fear to take hold, they lose the ability to move forward or take risks. Once that happens, you can't take advantage of opportunities.
On the other hand, courage allows you to take risks and chase your dreams. The presence of courage can lead you to the life you want.
What can you do if you struggle to face your fears?
Strive to keep a healthy perspective. Many people feel that courage is something you're either born with or not. They may think it is useless to try to work on cultivating this trait. That idea may be true to some extent. There are certainly people who seem to find it natural to act with courage, but that doesn’t mean a person without courage has no hope. On the contrary, courage is like a muscle. Some people are born with more defined muscles. But just as everyone can improve their physical strengths, everyone can also work on their courage.
Recognize your strengths. Research shows that people who identify their strengths and develop them feel happier, are less prone to depression, and display greater resilience. Also, when you know what you're good at, you can be more confident in your abilities. As a result, you are more capable of acting with courage. This confidence can lead to more success and opportunities for growth.
Take a step outside your comfort zone. A person who allows fear to keep him from engaging in fun activities or going after what they want will find themselves stunted in their growth. It can be difficult to overcome fear, but it's worth the effort if you want to live a fulfilled life. As a rule of thumb, pick something that feels slightly uncomfortable and then do it. Ask out someone who intrigues you, or go to a public educational event even though you feel apprehensive.
Celebrate your courageous acts. When you do something bold, reward yourself by going out to a nice meal or buying something you've wanted for a while. If there's someone important in your life, let them know what you did. They will appreciate it and give you the support you need to continue.
Receive failure with open arms. As part of growing up, everyone fails. If you're too afraid to fail, you won't allow yourself to grow and expand as a person. Imagine that failure is like stepping in a puddle of water. You may get water on you and feel momentarily uncomfortable, but eventually you dry and feel more comfortable again. Accept that failure is part of life and refuse to let it hold you back from taking risks or achieving your dreams.
Pause to take a breath. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by life. That's when it's essential to do something that gives you time to catch up and breathe. Focus on the present moment; it can give you mental clarity for the future. Letting things go is essential for moving forward with courage.
Developing courage is an important life skill to achieve. It's what gives you the strength to live life on your terms, which is all that matters in the end. Courage can save you from undesirable situations and give your life meaning. Whether it's overcoming fear or not letting society tell you what to do, developing courage depends on how willing and able you are to take risks now for future success later.