How To Live Courageously

Fear, it's not something we can get rid of but it can distort the reality of a situation, some will use the acronym FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real.

The fact is fear is something that is biologically programmed into us. Many years ago before we evolved into the beings we are today fear was something that kept us alive, it would stop us wondering into that dark cave and getting eaten by a mountain lion.

These days most of us won’t often find ourselves in true life or death situations where our fight or flight mode has to kick in, however, it does tend to still kick in in circumstances or situations and as a result, you stay in your comfort zone and don’t grow or develop as a person.

I wanted to just I’ve you 3 basic things you can do to help overcome fear and live courageously to enable you to grow and develop into what you are capable of.

1. Don’t Turn an Excuse into an Identity

You need be careful of how we label yourself, for example, saying “I’m a fearful person” or “I’m a weak person” or “I’m not a strong person.” Usually, that label comes from your current or past behaviour, but once the label becomes a part of you, it starts to control you. So what I try to get people to understand is: Hey, you’re not broken. You don’t need to be fixed. You don’t need a label. All you need to do is say, “I have to decide how I want to be now going forward.”

2. Develop a Habit 

Courage is not the absence of fear. That idea is the biggest b.s. in the world. Fear is impossible to eradicate. If you were completely fearless, you’d be dead as that mountain lion would have got your great [insert 1000 more great’s] great grandad. People who are courageous are scared to the core—they just make themselves go forward anyway; they make themselves take some kind of action. Taking action, even though you’re afraid, is how you become courageous—because courage, like fear, is a habit. The more you do it, this habit—of stepping up, of taking action—more than anything else, will move you in a different direction.

3. Let Your Body Lead the Way 

Taking that action for the first time can be pretty rough. When it comes time to give the public speech or snowboard down the mountain, don’t hesitate. Don’t start to analyse it. The longer you stand there, the harder it gets, because then your mind gets involved. If your challenge is mental, use your body. If it’s in the body, use your body more aggressively. Your mind controls your body and your body can control your mind. Think about how you feel mentally after you have done some exercise, good right?! You get stronger in your body, which, in turn gives you mental strength.

So next time you feel fear, feel the fear and do it anyway.

Until next time…make it happen. 

p.s. Have you downloaded my free ebook Staying Positive: 10 Simple Tips to Staying Positive? Click here to download it now!