Find Courage: 9 Tips To Empower Yourself -

If you want to create a more fulfilled life but think that you’re not good enough and doubt almost every step you take, it’s time to find courage. Negative self-talk-induced fear will only hold you back from achieving the life you have always wanted.

People told me how brave I was to leave my job for online entrepreneurship, they thought I was fearless. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Facing the unknown, fear tried to talk me out of what I had planned at every step of the way.

You can learn that courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is the ability to take action despite fear. When I think back to the crossroads I reached in my life, presenting two choices: taking the plunge and changing my life or returning to the uncomfortable comfort I knew. I chose the latter simply because I was too scared to take the next step.

To get your dream job, to score that manager or director position, to become a partner at your firm, or to build your dream business, it all boils down to one decision: feeling the fear but taking the next step anyway. (We are not talking about critical situations here. That’s a different topic and doesn’t form part of this post.)

Courage is not something reserved for a small group of people. It is something that can be attained and grown.

So, without further ado, let’s see a few tips on how to find courage:

1. Get clear on your WHY

Whatever the next level in your life you’re aiming for, when you get clear on your why, you can build an unshakable foundation.

Imagine getting lost in a forest with no water or tools that you otherwise need to survive. You’re scared, but you know you want to live no matter what. Your will to live is so strong that you find courage despite numbing fear, and you start walking.

With such a strong sense of purpose, fear is diminished.

2. Face your fears head-on

Fear is a natural response; there’s no point in trying to avoid it. But when you know what needs to be done (find a way) and why you want that (stay alive), nothing else matters.

When we face our fears head-on, we have a better understanding of what is causing them.

Understanding is key here, as that can make it easier to find ways to work around them or even overcome them entirely.

3. Break it down

Sometimes, it’s not even fear but overwhelm that overtakes us. When I decided that I wanted to start an online business that could keep me out of office jobs forever, it looked like a giant-sized task.

I broke it down into smaller chunks to eliminate this overwhelming feeling and took one step at a time. When you take baby steps and complete each task, those small wins along the way will release dopamine and, in turn, help you keep going. So, yes, as the wise men say, patience is a virtue. Walk slow, get far.

4. Visualise the dream outcome

There was a time when I dismissed vision boards as nonsense, questioning their purpose. But I’ve come to realize their significance. They go beyond mere aesthetics, serving as powerful tools for manifestation.

When curated with intention, the images of our deepest desires can ignite feelings of joy and fulfilment, elevating our energy from low to high vibration.

And it’s not just what you want but actually visualising yourself getting the prize. Maybe you want to write an award-winning movie script, deliver a motivational speech to hundreds of people that ends in a standing ovation, or make your grandma happy every day.

Learning to visualise and tune into that feel-good state will keep you going even when the going gets hard.

5. Build a support network

When it comes to significant life changes, our first instinct is to turn to family members and close friends because they will fully understand and support us, right? Well, not quite. Most of the time, these people will try to talk you out of it simply because of their fears, but they will scarcely admit that part.

Try to seek advice from those who have already conquered their fears and achieved what you strive for. Let those people inspire, support and encourage you to boost your courage whenever needed.

As we listen to their stories of triumph over adversity, we find courage in the narratives of others who have overcome similar scenarios.

6. Be kind to yourself

For a long time, I battled this awful habit – I’d be so hard on myself and beat myself up for not achieving significant changes at every step. That can be so damaging, and it is also so wrong.

If you treat yourself the same way, take some time out. Just accept that making mistakes is part of the process.

Every entrepreneur experienced setbacks and difficulties, but they kept going. If there’s one secret ingredient, this is it.

Have compassion for yourself; you’re doing your best consistently.

7. Have a plan

With a strong sense of direction, you feel more prepared and able to focus on what you must do. If I tell you there’s treasure buried somewhere under the sea and send you off to find it, you might spend your whole life wandering in circles and not getting anywhere.

But If I give you a detailed plan with coordinates, well, currents might have moved the treasure a bit by the time you get there, but you will find it.

8. Take calculated risks

Take risks but without being reckless. For example, only quit your job if you have another income source or enough funds to pay the bills for at least six months.

It is about making informed decisions that push you out of your comfort zone with the potential for a positive outcome. Many businesses fail because their owners stop trying instead of finding ways to make it work. We grow when we see every failure as a lesson and not the end. Reflecting on what went wrong instead of giving up makes us stronger and more resilient.

9. Challenge negative thoughts

That is a crucial aspect of becoming courageous. What helped me was, instead of dwelling on the past, trying to recognise the pattern that led me to that undesirable outcome. And yes, negative self-talk can sometimes act like a mad dog that needs to be on a leash. Constant negativity can undermine progress, but it’s easier to challenge each negative thought with a positive alternative in its controlled form.

Find Courage & Keep Going

If you struggle with fear, know that you are not alone. Even brief research shows that almost all successful entrepreneurs were forced to face their fears when they started. How might others pursue them, and what will they say about their products and services?

If you’ve heard of Greta van Riel, you know that when she started, she was embarrassed by her first product. Digging a little deeper, you’ll see that most entrepreneurs were. But did fear stop them? Quite the opposite. They didn’t focus on what people might say about them; instead, they listened to feedback and tweaked their offer as they went along.

To find courage, engage in consistent action. What I learnt was that fear is the byproduct of inaction, and courage is the byproduct of action. So, it is not becoming courageous that you need to focus on, but your vision of your future, how to make it happen, and the necessary steps to take.

Most people give up too soon, sometimes just when they are one step away from a breakthrough, from that dream job or fulfilled life. It’s time to put negativity on a leash and start leading with strengths. You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish. Just take one step at a time, and don’t give up.

Lead with your strengths! Onwards and Upwards!

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