The Power of being courageous

I am writing this blogpost from quite a personal perspective.  If you had told me 3 years ago that being courageous was one of my strengths, I’d have laughed in your face! However, when I’ve actually stopped and thought about it, courage is the connecting factor to every success I have had in the past few years.

The danger of staying in your comfort zone

If we always take the route of least resistance and stay within the confines of our zone of comfort life stays safe and cosy.  Whilst this might sometime be a nice place to be for a while, if we stay there forever, we will never experience growth and what life has to offer. At times it can feel scary to step outside of this zone, and sometimes we might overstay our welcome there as it feel too much (I’ve definitely done that a fair few times), however it’s important to ask yourself how you will feel if you don’t.

What does being courageous mean to you?

The most important thing here is that being courageous is entirely personal. It means different things to different people. I’m not booking speaking events at international conferences, but I am stepping outside of my comfort zone consistently and intentionally. It’s not particularly easy, but without fail it results in a positive outcome, and once you experience that it gets easier the next time.

What one small thing can you do that puts you out of your comfort zone? Is it to attend a networking event, ask for a pay rise or try a new activity? It is key that it is something that you want to do, and you can visualise an outcome where you have achieved it.  Keep focused on how that will feel.

Make a plan

Once you have identified what you are going to do to step out of your comfort zone, you need to make a plan of how you are going to make it happen.  Be honest about what might get in the way and check-in that your goals are realistic and achievable.

Take action

Once that plan is down on paper, you need to take the hardest step and just do it!! Yes, it feels scary walking into a networking event where you don’t know anyone (been there!). Yes, having a conversation with your manager about why you deserve a pay rise is nerve wracking. But what is the cost of not doing these things?  Take time to reflect on how you will feel in 12-months’ time if everything stays the same.

Be kind to yourself

Remember that things don’t always go to plan, and you may not achieve the thing you set out to do.  That’s fine. Try and work out what you can do differently that means you will make it happen. Does your goal need adapting or reframing?  Identify the first step you need to take and then make that step so easy to take it is impossible not to.

See - you are already on your way!  Good luck! it will be worth it, I promise!