How to Embrace Courage in Your Life

When was the last time you were truly courageous?

Was it last week? Maybe it was last month or even last year? Maybe you can’t remember the last time you were truly courageous.

On episode 77 of the Lead with Heart podcast, Gina Gallaun explains what it truly means to be courageous and how you can take action despite fear.

Gina is the founder of Waves & Words. She played a pivotal role in building Wise, one of Europe's largest fintech companies, and was part of a historic IPO at the London Stock Exchange. But after eight successful years, Gina decided to embark on a different path, a world trip that would reshape her life and lead to the creation of her book, Embrace Your Brave in 30 Days.

If you want to check that out, I’ll add the episode player below so you can tune into the full episode where we discuss the value of being surrounded by courageous women and actionable steps to embrace your bravery.

In this article, we’re going to learn more about how you can embrace courage in your life:

1. The Definition of Courage?
2. Navigating Fear at Any Age
3. Comparison: A Driver of Fear

1. The Definition of Courage

There are so many different definitions of courage out there, but I particularly love the definition Gina gave.

“Courage is when you feel a fear and then you think about what you really want and you still take the step, even despite the fear.” - Gina Gallaun

She shared an example to illustrate this:

“I interviewed this one woman in the book who said, I've done many things that people would consider courageous. I've moved abroad. I've taken a career that's actually dangerous, but all of those things were actually easy for me.” - Gina Gallaun

For this woman, what takes the most courage is taking a day off to rest when she feels overwhelmed.?

While this may seem easy to others, it takes courage for this woman.

2. Navigating Fear at Any Age

Gina explains that before she wrote her book she had the assumption that people in their fifties, sixties, and seventies, who have had decades of living life already, had figured out courage and don’t battle with fear anymore.

In reality, older people are faced with a new fear - the fear of being too old to do X, Y, or Z.

She shares an example of this:

“I had this one reader reach out to me who said, I've really wanted to learn to play the piano all my life. But I'm in my sixties and I felt like I'm just too old. I should have started younger. And then just hearing those stories from women around the world just made me think, what if I'm not too old?” - Gina Gallaun

She is now playing the piano and at a point where she can compose her own songs.

“It sounds to me like we might need courage all our lives. It's just going to be fears that knock on the door that we have to find a way to navigate.” - Gina Gallaun?

Another example from Gina’s book is of a woman in her thirties who wanted to become a doctor.

“When you're in your thirties and you start medical school, you're going to be in your forties by the time you're actually a doctor. And she thought I am too old.” - Gina Gallaun

But by the time she finishes medical school in her forties, she still has over 20 years to practice medicine. This woman worked through her fears and went to medical school.

“We cannot let those fears that I'm too old to do something hold us back because if we do, then in a few years, we're going to feel like we're too something else. There's always going to be something to hold us back.” - Gina Gallaun

And then on the other side, there is the fear of being too young.

“I was speaking to somebody this morning who wants to start a business, but is afraid that she won't be taken seriously because she's too young.” - Gina Gallaun

3. Comparison: A Driver of Fear

Gina explains that one of the reasons we feel like we are too old (or too young or too something else) to do something is because of comparison.

If we look around and see the majority of people our age are in a different place from us, it makes us feel as if we have missed the opportunity to do something forever.??

Gina shares an example of a woman from Estonia in her thirties who didn’t have a driver's license.

“She was really feeling this desire to be able to take a car and go into nature by herself. That's where public transport doesn't go. But she just looked around and most people had a car already. And so it made her think, I am too old to do this.” - Gina Gallaun

This comparison could have held her back from experiencing so much joy.

Gina encourages us to put that comparison aside and ask ourselves what we really want and what we are willing to do to get there.?

“No matter the age, I think comparison really gets us.” - Gina Gallaun

In conclusion, courage isn’t the absence of fear - it’s taking action despite it. It looks different for everyone, and no matter your age, don’t let societal expectations or comparison hold you back from pursuing what truly matters to you.?

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