Imitate The Daring To Cultivate Courage

“If you can’t be a genius, imitate the daring.”

Eudora Welty

I was chatting with someone recently and they remarked that they wished they could be more like a mutual friend we have in common, because they were fearless and brave.

They were surprised to hear me tell them that that same person had told me that they often felt afraid. That conversation also reminded me of the surprise I felt, early on in my career, when people I’d assumed didn’t have fear told me they regularly felt it. But it didn’t stop them taking action.

Fear is universal and it can be in any context.

• Fear of failure.
• Fear of making an irrecoverable mistake.
• Fear of losing face.
• Fear of not achieving ‘the goal’.
• Fear of ‘x’ (what’s your x?)

Often making progress is not about eliminating fear but rather learning to embrace it and forging ahead despite its presence. To do what the well known book title says i.e. feel the fear and do it anyway.

The above conversation reminded me of one of my favourite quotes, which is from Anais Nin:

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage”

This seems to be true. So isn’t it worth considering where we need to have more courage?

Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the ability to take action in spite of it. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zones and into the realm of uncertainty, knowing that pain is probably coming your way – but the companion of pain is something much much better. Growth.

So, as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way, let’s remember that it’s okay to feel afraid. But let’s not allow fear to dictate our actions or hold us back from pursuing the great things we can imagine.

Bring to mind someone you admire and perhaps see as ‘daring’. Maybe this week, you can consider imitating them when it comes to being brave in areas that matter to you?

Where can you feel the fear anyway but have more courage?

Where can you channel your inner daring?

Here’s to a week of meaningful progress.

Best,

Shane

Interview: Last week I was interviewed onThat Great Business Show with Conall Ó Móráin, where he pushed me to explain more fully the impact of our inner voices on life and leadership. If you’re interested, you can listen here. (It’s starts around the 27 minute mark)

Speaking:

• Galway,Ireland: @PorterShed, Galway on Wednesday 10th April. Details and registration here.
• Kerry, Ireland: @RDI, Killorglin, Kerry on Thursday 11th April. Details and registration here.

The Inner Edge Podcast: Short, bite-sized nuggets of 10-12 minutes, designed to give you motivation and plenty of inspirational food for thought. Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.

This week’s episode, Ep 171: Your Inner Ts & Cs

Up Your Game: Have you checked out my online academy? It has a range of products that will help you raise your game in all areas. More details here.

The Inner CEO: My new best-selling book is available in 4 formats – kindle, paperback, hardback and audible. Check it out here.