How to Be Courageous

Image via Wizard of Oz

Living courageously means doing the things you’re scared to do, big and small.

Think of courage like a muscle - the more we can use it in our everyday life, the more we can be courageous for the big things. Some fear is good, as it protects us from actual dangers, but most fear in our life comes internally from our self-limiting beliefs.

It might feel unsafe to show up in the world the way that you desire. You might shift your behaviour to please or impress others, rather than staying true to yourself. Bring awareness to your fears, and ask yourself if they’re real. Sometimes things can feel scary, but the fear is often more imaginary, and based on worst-case situations instead of reality.

For the past few months I’ve attended a weekly meditation group, where the only socializing is done at a monthly group dinner. After our meditation practice, I am always the first one out of the room, avoiding introducing myself or saying hi because meeting big groups of new people makes me feel uncomfortable. I have been wanting to attend dinner with everyone, but I kept making excuses, or even skipping that week’s session altogether to avoid the opportunity.

My desire for safety and comfort was creating fear around connecting with a new group of like-minded people, and keeping me stuck. Courage was the ability to say yes to dinner and sitting in the discomfort of making conversation with people I have yet to know, because it’s something my true self wanted to accomplish.

Once we do the scary thing through acting courageously, we expand ourselves to a whole new level of potential. Fear can also hold us back from setting boundaries at work and in relationships. By saying what you want and need courageously, you show people how you’d like to be treated and what you’ll accept.

You can practice courage by doing the small thing that you keep saying you’re going to do. Starting small is important, because it shows us the positive impact of our actions, demonstrating proof that our fears aren’t so scary after all.

Once you start acting more courageously in your daily life, you’ll be able to apply the same principles to higher stake situations with ease. Taking accountability for your life and conquering your fears through courage is an incredible way to feel more powerful and free.