Last week, one of my clients asked me this question:
How do you get courage?
How do you get courage, anyway? Are you born with it? Is it in your DNA? Does a teacher teach it? Do you acquire it with time and experience? Is it something you pick up along the way?
As a job seeker, how do you get courage? As an employee, how do you get courage? As a small business owner, how do you get courage? As the leader of a global organization, how do you get courage? Some thoughts for job seekers:
Compile a list of your top three to five fears. Beside each fear, write a strategy on how you can move from fear to finding a coping mechanism that works for you, not against you, in managing your fear(s). Then, put the strategy into action, modifying as needed to support your goal of getting courage.
Observe individuals who you believe to have courage. What are they doing that you aren’t? Schedule a time to meet with them, if it is possible, and ask them this simple question: How do you get courage? Listen to what they say and if it seems applicable to you and your brand, go for it!
Understand that moving from a lack of courage to gaining some courage, let alone an abundance of it, is a process that takes time, effort and commitment.
Reward yourself on a consistent basis. Think of a small reward that won’t break the bank, yet signals to self that you are worthy of the prize based on your performance.
Ask your circle of influence for ideas on how to find courage. Out of all the ideas, make a list and display it in a prominent place to serve as a constant reminder of how to get courage.
Give back and get involved. When the focus is other-driven and outwardly directed, you may find yourself so immersed in serving someone that you forget that you don’t have courage. That act alone of helping someone, especially in a time of need, takes courage.
Enroll in a Toastmasters International program. In my opinion, it is the single best courage-builder I have yet to encounter in my professional life. Graduate school was awesome. Continuing education is important. For me though, Toastmasters was a life-changer and a game-changer in courage.
How do you find courage?
"There are three essentials to leadership: humility, clarity and courage."
Chan Master Fuchan Yuan
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