COURAGE! - 10 Ways to Train Your Brave

I remember being appointed the head girl in secondary school. I was hesitant at first to the point of shaking and crying in the presence of the whole school on the day of the appointment, but through perseverance, I eventually became comfortable leading the school. It took courage and resilience to overcome my fear, but with practice, my confidence was boosted. In the end, the courage I developed was worth it.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it. In other words, courage is about having the guts to step out of your comfort zone to face whatever comes your way.

 

Although Courage is inherent in us, cultivating it requires time, effort, and practice. Think about a moment you were terrified to do something, but you did it anyway. Like giving a presentation in front of a large crowd, asking your crush out on a date, or even asking a question in class. These are acts of courage, and they are not always easy, but just like any other muscle that needs exercise to grow, you can build your courage through practice. You can start by taking on small challenges every day. It could be something as simple as making eye contact with a stranger, complimenting someone, or admitting when you are wrong. You'll be surprised at how much these little acts of courage can build up over time. And the more you practice, the easier it gets. You'll find yourself taking on bigger challenges with ease.

 

Let's look at 10 ways to train your brave;  

1. Refrain from negative self-talk.

We all have that little voice that either tells us we can't do something or are not good enough. But we don't have to listen to that voice. Instead, we can consciously replace them with positive affirmations. Also, Negative self-talk is a form of mental slavery, shackling you with doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs, restricting you from reaching your potential, and keeping you bound to the false beliefs that hold you back. By silencing these self-limiting thoughts, you can free yourself from this mental captivity and break the chains of negativity. Check my previous post on how to break free from Mental Slavery

 

2. Identify and face your fears

When you can challenge your negative self-talk, the next thing is to identify your fears. Once you have identified your fears, you can start to work on facing them and overcoming them. Public speaking is a common fear, and there are a few strategies you can use to overcome it like cognitive restructuring which involves changing the way you think about public speaking by challenging your negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. For example, instead of thinking "I'll mess up and everyone will laugh at me," you can try thinking "I'll do my best and even if I make a mistake, it's not the end of the world.

3. Find your tribe.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people is like creating your cheering squad. Imagine having friends, a mentor, a partner, or even an online community who celebrate your victories, encourage you to keep going when you're feeling down, and remind you of your awesomeness. Imagine the power of a tribe who believes in you and helps you believe in yourself. That's the power of surrounding yourself with positive people!

4. Take small steps.

 Break your big goal into small, manageable, and achievable steps. Begin with what you can do today that will gear you towards achieving that goal. For example, if your goal is to give a speech in front of 100 people, you could start by practicing in front of a mirror or giving a short speech to a friend. By taking small steps, you can build up your confidence and feel more prepared to take on the bigger goal.

5. Fail forward.

Accept that failure is a part of life, and always learn from your mistakes. The idea is that every time you fail, you can learn something new and improve for next time. So, instead of viewing failure as a setback, see it as a learning opportunity. Let me share a life-changing insight that has influenced my perspective till date - accepting the past and learning from it without regrets, knowing that we can only handle situations in consonance with the knowledge and understanding we have at the time, is a form of courage. This lesson taught me that humility and introspection are just as essential to courage as acts of bravery.

6. Challenge yourself to do new things

Another great way to build your courage and confidence. It's about stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new. It could be something big, like public speaking or asking for a raise at your job, or something small, like trying a new recipe or trying an educative game. Every time you challenge yourself, you build up your courage and make yourself more resilient.

7. Celebrate small wins.

Recognizing and celebrating your achievements no matter how small they may seem helps train your brave. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed on a difficult day or getting a compliment from a friend. Celebrating the smallest wins builds up your self-confidence and keeps you motivated. I gift myself whenever I accomplish a task. Buy anything for yourself, take yourself out for a date, and celebrate!

8. Find your purpose.

Discovering what truly matters to you and what gives you a sense of fulfilment is not an easy thing to do, but it's important to take the time to explore your passions and interests. Once you know what your purpose is, you can align your actions and decisions with it. It is one thing to know what you are doing and another to align it with your IKIGAI. Ikigai-how to find your purpose

9. Be resilient.

This is another crucial strategy for training your brave. It's all about being able to bounce back from adversity and move forward with strength and vigor. Resilience is a skill that can be developed over time, through practice and experience. This is one thing I admire my mother for, no matter what she has gone through, she is always holding up strong and thriving. I've learned from her to always have a comeback, regardless of what life throws.

10. Practice self-compassion.

Simply put, self-compassion is being kind to yourself, rather than being overly self-critical. It involves things like acknowledging your mistakes and accepting your flaws, without beating yourself. It also involves recognizing your strengths and giving yourself credit for your achievements. Stay kind to yourself.

 

 

Having learned the 10 ways to train your brave, it's time to take action and start your journey towards courage. It won't be easy, but remember, you're not alone. You have the power within you to face your fears, find your purpose, and build resilience. Let your brave shine through, and watch as your life transforms. Have courage and most importantly, be kind!

.....Sweet Lilian