- The guy who jumps onto subway tracks to save a stranger with a train approach
- The clerk who chases down a robber,
- A passerby stops at an accident site to save victims:
When you hear stories of incredible acts of courage,
Do you wonder, would I do the same?
Some scientists say those risk takers are wired differently, Studies show genetics play a significant role in the willingness to take risks. Recent research finds environmental factors and emotions greatly influence risk-taking behavior too. Other scientists look to brain mechanisms for answers:
“The best things in life are on the other side of fear!” – Will Smith
A great example of this situation is explained by Will Smith when he went skydiving. He explained this “The concept of fear” is only present up until the point where he took action. Immediately afterward he was in the moment – after he left the airplane it was pure bliss.
Courage and muscle have a lot in common.
The more they are used them the stronger they become. Neglected they slowly become frail, weak, and atrophied.
Make a list, a long list of everything thing that scares you and slowly tackle each one by one. Start small and build up. Just like exercising a muscle – exercise your courage. The more often you do so the stronger it will get and the more confidence you will build to tackle bigger and bigger challenges.
Let’s look at some easy ones you can try.
- The Coffee Shop Challenge – Go to your area coffee shop, place your coffee order, and when you’re ready to pay – Ask them for a 10% discount.
- The Eye Contact Challenge – While walking in public, make eye contact with the people you pass. Keep eye contact until one of you break it. It’s important that you keep an open/warm/positive expression on your face (you don’t want to look scary or crazy).
- The Laying Down Challenge – Walk into a crowded place and lay down for 15 – 20 seconds. Do not select a place where you will be a nuisance. If someone asks what you’re doing, just tell them you’re taking a break and collecting your thoughts.
- The Cold Shower Challenge – This is one of my best discoveries: The last 2 minutes of my shower I turn off all the hot water and blast the cold. It’s something that I do because I feel great afterward. I do it instinctively now, without hesitation or thinking of it, but when I got started I would get really nervous before doing it. On a lesser scale, it’s like that skydiving example – it’s scary before you do it, it’s intense while the cold water is flowing, it’s amazing afterward.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act despite our fears.” – John McCain
- Public Speaking Challenge – There the old saying that people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. There are many sources of information across the internet. Why? Because almost everyone has a fear of public speaking. Toast Masters is a great way to practice!
You should definitely find things that make you so nervous that you feel it in the pit of your stomach. The more you practice, the stronger you will become!
Remember:
There are many different kinds of courage required in life, and you will hardly find one person who has them all.
Some people are fearless when approaching girls/guys or standing up to bullies. Going to the gym as an overweight person, the safety of a steady salary to become an entrepreneur, quitting an addiction, ending toxic relationships, chasing your dreams etc.l
Courage isn’t a habit you can form, but a choice you must make that doesn’t get easier each time.
Now that your path becomes more organized and clear
You will begin to like you.When you begin to like you, you will do what you like.
[Tweet “When you begin to like you, you will do what you like.”]
If you believe in being brave, you will be brave. Just believe and become. But first have a clear mind to focus, remove the things pulling you back.
Scientists don’t know for sure if being courageous is something you’re born with; they also don’t know whether we can target the parts of the brain active in overcoming certain fears. What experts do know is that many different behaviors and traits define a courageous act, some of which can be learned.
[Tweet “Big challenges produce big courage!”]
Practice courage often. Display it by doing and trying different things. Things Like being unique, or facing a fear. Big challenges produce big courage but small ones every so often maintain its strength.
Do what scares you. Quieting your fear of is putting yourself in the thick of it. Plus, by choosing to face your fear, it gives you a feeling of control. Believe in your own ability to achieve a goal and a component of courageous acts.
Plan to be brave. Being prepared may help you draw on that reservoir of courage; the moment of indecisiveness is when your emotions come in.”
Remember the why. Courage is more than just facing fear; it involves taking risks for a noble or good cause. Focus on the reason you wanted to take an action to help boost confidence. When that reason is important or morally right, it may be the most encouraging of all.
