Courage is all around us, but you have to claim it. What would happen if you stopped running from that which necessitates courage?
Speaking up more, expressing more of yourself, going for that interview or audition, risking rejection, not being perfect all take courage.
Being able to speak confidently in front of an audience is an essential skill that will make a huge difference in both your personal and professional life. It is time to overcome your fear and develop the courage to speak up and stand out. Maybe you are doing some speaking, but you know you could be putting yourself out there a lot more.
The faces of fear are many
Where does fear come from and why does it overtake your whole body?
You have fear because you are living in the past, assuming your current behavior or circumstances will have the same outcome as last time OR you are living in the future, imagining the worst case scenario. Now that is scary!
Fear can be your friend when it tells you that something is not right. You make it your enemy when you project negative thoughts onto it. Courage is your best friend. It tells you that you can do this. And just like any friends, they sometimes fight. Which do you want to win?
You can’t just say, “I won’t be afraid.” That’s trying to resist fear without working through it or understanding it. Make it your friend and don’t fight it. What you resist, persists.
What is still the number one fear of most people? Yep, you guessed it. Public Speaking. It’s called glossophobia. It’s ahead of death and even going to the dentist. It affects 70% of us, and the other 30% aren’t so good with it, either.
Does fear stop you from speaking up or speaking as often as you need to promote your business or yourself? Perhaps fear just creates a lump in your throat or butterflies in your stomach when you go to speak. Maybe it makes you forget all that great information you know and could recite it if no one was listening.
How can you have more courage?
It’s not by resisting it. Courage and confidence comes to you when you have candor and clarity. Most people tell you it’s the other way around. Be courageous and you will have confidence and clarity. Nope
Practice does not make perfect when you repeat the same thing and don’t learn new skills. Courage comes with candor. Say what you think and feel, take a stand, be yourself, let your personality come through, and have a conversation instead of a lecture.
Courage comes with clarity. Be clear on your passion and your purpose. Don’t just say I want to help people have better lives. Be extremely specific about who you want to help, how you want to help them, why you are so passionate about helping them with this, and specifically how they will transform. Clarity cultivates courage.
