Asking for Courage
In last week’s blog I promised I would give you my definition of  ‘Courage’ so that we can look into what it can mean to you and how you live your life.
Courage is going against the odds or against popular opinion. It’s doing what most people are unwilling to do because of the criticism and lack of support they know they will receive from family, friends, or even strangers. Courage is living your life for you. It’s setting your own rules and policies and taking full responsibility when you fail or stumble. It’s resisting other people’s attempted manipulations of you.
Courageous people do not accept traditions, conventional wisdom, or pat answers without close scrutiny and severe questioning.
I came up with that definition in 1983 when I was 39 years old,  for my book The Courage to be Rich and I think it holds true today. (Side note … Susan Orman used that title later for her own book which I found out, to my disappointment, is totally legal.) But sometimes it’s hard to know what you are accepting without question or not. So let’s ask ourselves a few questions.
Before reading this list of questions that can help build your courage, let me suggest you make a list of the areas in your life that you might want to focus on, areas you think would benefit from a big dose of courage.
Did you write those down? Good. Now, ask yourself,  Do I want to have …
The courage to be rich?
The courage to be famous?
The courage to be the very best in my field?
The courage to be super generous?
The courage to be super healthy?
The courage to be totally physically fit?
The courage to write a great book or give super speeches?
The courage to love and be loved without conditions?
The courage to help others to the max?
The courage to win at the game of life?
This is not a complete list. If you have other things you want or think you want, add them. And keep asking yourself, what do you want courage for?
It is not just a matter of asking yourself about your courage. You have to act in a courageous way. Here are a few keys items to help you obtain and keep that courage.
1. At first take small steps in areas that you want to build courage, especially if you have great fears.
2. Repeat those small steps over and over again.
3. Slowly begin to take larger steps.
4. Use plenty of “self-talk” or “positive affirmations” and always be aware of what your internal voice is saying so you can direct it towards your positive courage goals.
5. Involve allies to help you stay on course. Be sure to pick those that will fully support your objectives and goals.
7. Practice confronting your fears and then analyze the reasons for those fears.
One last thought….I just read this line in a novel and thought that it was very profound……”The more you learn, the less you fear.” Arm yourself with knowledge, primarily the knowledge that you can and will face and overcome your fears.
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