Let's face it without courage crashing through the terror barrier is difficult, if not, impossible!
So, how do we develop courage? I'm so glad you asked … that is exactly what I'm going to explain.
The dictionary says courage is "the ability to disregard fear; bravery." If you are courageous you are brave and fearless.
Just as in the wizard of Oz, the lion knew he needed courage, he was afraid of his own shadow. To be successful we must do things that unsuccessful people do not want to do. Those things require levels of courage.
For example, you know it is important to learn to speak in public. Whether for your current job, an interview, promoting your business or your ideas you are speaking and selling. Statistics show the number 1 fear most people have is public speaking. Selling is public speaking whether for 1 or 100. I know entrepreneurs who say they do not like to sell. If you do not promote your business, people do not know about you. If they do not know about you they can not call you or visit your store! That's very basic but an often forgotten principle. That's not success.
Remember the show "Fear Factor" where contestants competed for prizes by conquering their fears through daring feats. Many of those contestants could not complete assignments after signing up and making the show. Their fear held them back and they were not able to look beyond the fear toward the goal of the prize. Does that sound familiar?
How many times have you decided to start something only to procrastinate or quit because of fear? You are not alone it happens to all of us. The problem is when fear holds you back from accomplishing your goals, achieving greatness and fulfilling your purpose. You begin this slippery slop by allowing doubt, worry and anxiety into your life. Unchecked these attitudes become suppressed and depression occurs. All progress stops.
The successful person feels the fear and does the thing anyway. They give themselves a command and follows through on that command. Let's go back to our public speaking example. You know you must learn to speak in front of others. The best and only way is to just get up and do it. Now, I would not go out and rent a 100 person hall right away! Post why? Because you need to practice. Most people do best by starting small, even with people they know in a more intimate setting. Once your confidence begins to increase you will attract larger crowds.
To develop courage is to just start! Action is the cure for procrastination. Procrastination is the backbone of the fear of success which causes self-sabotage.
Here are the keys to developing courage worthy of a lion:
1. Complete your due diligence and decide the thing you want.
2. Decide you are going to do this. Whatever this is for you and you decided in # 1.
3. Believe in yourself – have high self esteem.
4. Look back at previous successes and know you can do this.
5. Buckle down, like a bull in a china shop and charge head first into the thing you fear.
6. Just do it, begin, make the first phone call, make the first presentation, sign those papers, make the reservation, call her / him, make the request, be the first to respond, stand up!
7. Practice these principles every time a fear raises its head and conquer your fear.
Do not pass go before you start. What's the worse thing that can happen? Really, what is the worse thing that can happen? You stay right where you are now? Just take a step.
My mother tells me I have great courage, I'm brave. I always thought it was stubbornness but now I see that when things got tough I would just get going. It is a habit. Develop this habit to be 'on' all the time not just during the tough and rough spots. Being fearless is risky. As you develop the attitude of courage through action you will become fearless.