How to Cultivate Courage

“Courage only exists where fear exists”

Courage doesn’t eliminate fear, it is a response to fear. Courage resembles that of a sleeper agent in a foreign country. It assimilates, undetected and appears unimportant or inconsequential until one day it is activated. Called to action. And then suddenly the person that once seemed innocuous, rapidly evolves into a momentous trail blazing character. For example, the story of David and Goliath where the underdog defeats the ghastly giant. It inspires bursts of boldness that help us speak our minds, follow our hearts and bare our souls to others. Courage (at is core) is a reflection of our true character in moments of crisis and vulnerability. We unconsciously tap into our higher power and our authenticity flares uncontrollably yet intensely like a blazing fire. And the impossible suddenly becomes possible. Because courage is hope. It is the moment when you choose to keep fighting when the odds are stacked up against you. Courage is embracing the realities of fear and moving forward, although afraid, but yet unwavering in the midst of uncertainty. Believing with all of your heart there is no turning back. That you will fight to the end. Because you know undoubtedly, that you must win as there is no safety net to catch you. Courage… is purpose-driven action.

But how do you tap into this power on a consistent basis to fuel personal and professional growth? Here are a few tips of cultivating courage on daily basis, in all of your actions.

1. Accept fear as being a natural aspect of life. You will never have a period in your life when fear does not exist. Fear is a cunning trick used by the enemy that manipulates you into creating a self-imposed prison around your abilities and disconnects you from God’s purpose for your life. But, as we know, greatness is always on the other side of fear. So, if you start looking at fear as just a test and not a blockade, you can find ways to mentally come to peace with it in order to prepare and equip yourself to challenge it.
2. Embrace courage as being the response to fear. Fear is necessary in order to thrust us out of our comfort zone into new heights of learning and growth. If we respond to fears with an intentional action plan we can become bigger than our fears. You can view this, for example, like a seed being planted into the soil. At first the seed is alone in a dark isolated place, small and insignificant. But, if you keep nurturing and watering the seed it gradually grows in strength and emerges from the dark soil into a beautiful flower. The key is to keep watering and nurturing yourself even in the darkness. Consistency combined with your intentional action plan forces the darkness to transition to light.
3. Build self-confidence by committing to action. This entails completing a small task every single day that moves you closer to overcoming your fears. Your intentional plan should include an end-game. A prize. Your ultimate goal. And your actions should derive small steps that brings you closer to actualizing that goal. In itself, the small action may appear immaterial. But, when you add day after day of small actions together, eventually this accumulates into one huge accomplishment. This in returns inspires more self-confidence and your smaller steps will grow into bigger steps, until they become significant steps. And finally you will close the gap and reach our goals. You will not overcome your fears overnight and the process can seem daunting at first. But if you believe in your purpose, the small consistent steps taken every single day moves you closer to conquering your fears.
4. Practice authenticity by being vulnerable. Speaking your truth can free you from the associated anxieties attached to fear, which can make it seem far less scary and insurmountable. The energy you extend outward will allow the right people to navigate to you. By doing so, you will soon realize that you are not alone and the strength and encouragement from the individuals surrounding you will ignite additional self-confidence.
5. Help people. Good deeds are twice the blessing, benefiting both the giver and the receiver of the act of kindness. The consciousness of right-doing is one of the best ways to heal and move forward. When the mind is free and happy from the sense of a job well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, it is less occupied with feelings of guilt, shame and fear. The uplifting influence instills cheer into the soul and creates new life.