Courage is only one factor in leadership. It is the ability to face imaginary fears.
When you constantly live with limiting beliefs, you rationalise your behaviour. And unfortunately, as you age, you can become philosophical about your limitations and fears. It can appear then that the only option available is to live out the remainder of your years as contently as possible and wait for your internment. At which time, you’ll finally achieve total safety and security.
So today’s idea is not just to learn to walk boldly but also to run towards your fears.
Inaction breeds doubt and fear, but action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to become a bold leader, take action. Don’t just think positively. Believe in your ability to make a difference. Expect greatness from yourself, and you’ll discover the real leader within you, brimming with confidence and courage.
Developing courage in children is also very important if they are to have a well-balanced life, build self-confidence and have a good self-image.
I can recall many occasions of nervousness in my children before taking the first step in something they have never experienced before. For example, going to school on their first day or becoming involved in a new sporting activity. These are all instances where a child may feel fear. The temptation is to minimise the fear by saying things like: “Don’t be afraid,” or “Be a big boy.” A better and more effective way to handle the situation is to create an opportunity to show the children how to learn about ideas they can use to develop personal courage.
Teach children that courage is not just a quality, it’s a superpower.
It’s what helps them rise above any fear they may experience. Reinforce their courage by proffering supportive praises such as, “It took a lot of courage for you to do that. Good on you!”
Acknowledging a virtue is not just a formality. It’s a way to help the child build their self-esteem. The next time they face a fear, they can draw upon their inner strength to overcome it. That same virtue of courage that helped them start taking part in the particular activity will help them tell the truth or take responsibility for their mistake even when they fear the consequences of their actions.
Using TV shows or stories to illustrate courage provides an excellent opportunity to help children understand and believe they can be courageous when it matters most.
So, how do you really develop courage?
To develop courage, you first need to stop lying to yourself. Look at your image squarely in the mirror and admit that you have been lying to yourself to boost your ego. Using personal excuses and self-talk such as: “Life has been unfair to me, I came from a difficult background.” are all examples of lies you use to protect your ego.
Break down the defence lines.
If you are escaping your problems by overeating, smoking, or using drugs or alcohol. It’s time to give up these escape methods and be brave enough to face your problems to develop courage. You don’t need to wait for a disaster to kick you into action.
Resolve your problems by tearing down these weak defence strategies and building mental programmes, like positive affirmations and visualisation exercises, that you CAN do anything! I like creating Mind Movies for this purpose.
With this newfound courage and ability, you will be able to inspire and lead others, positively impacting the lives of many people who come into your life.
