Being scared and trying anyways
Courage might seem like a distant virtue, a term that is reserved solely for heroic acts of bravery. But it’s a virtue that is also found in the way that we live our daily lives, in the choices we make, even when they feel very frightening. To try is very courageous. To live a life of trying is to live a courageous life.
What do you want to try?
Here’s a few steps to help get you started.
Step One: Define what would be courageous for you. This intent is really important. Sometimes, courage looks like admitting what you really want to try to do. You also might have noticed, in your past experience, that it’s easier to be braver for other people than it is for yourself. Courage is often harnessed to the greater good, like making a difference in the world or helping other people. If you can connect your personal intention to the greater impact it will have, it can help you move into a state of courage.
Step Two: Break that down. What would the first step in trying look like? You don’t have to do it all today. You can break it into bits, a far more compassionate approach. Decide what the first step would look like.
Step Three: As you contemplate that first step, label your emotions and identify what you’re feeling. There’s a great study from UCLA that demonstrates the power of labeling your emotions. Researchers asked participants with a fear of spiders to approach a large tarantula, getting as close as they could. Afterward, they were divided into groups and given different strategies to try to help them with their fear. The first group was told to label and describe their emotional responses to the spider. The other groups were either told to downplay their emotions, say something irrelevant, or not say anything at all. When everyone was brought back week later to do the same task, it was the first group — those who labeled their emotions — who were able to cope with their fear and move forward.
Step Four: Try. Take that action. Send the email. Do the thing. Make the call. Show up. Speak up. Whatever it is, take that first step.
You can do it. You, trying, is a wonderful, inspiring, and courageous thing.
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