How To Step Into Courage When You’re Fearful And Insecure
Quite some while ago I dropped down to posting weekly, when at one time I was posting 3, 4 or even 5 times per week.
That wasn’t because I’d turned into a lazy arsehole – well not entirely anyway – but because I was really busy with clients and also blogging for other Life Coaches over at Coach The Life Coach.
I’m hoping that during 2015 I can make that twice a week by taking a lot more quality guest posts.
That started whilst I was away over Christmas and it continuining now with this post from Tess Marshall.
If you’d like to try your hand at contributing, check out my guest post requirements here.
Enjoy.
How To Step Into Courage When You’re Fearful And Insecure
We need to step out. Be bold even when we’re afraid. There’s a need for courage like there’s never been before.
Every small step out of fear counts. It takes courage to do it over and over. Allow courage to lead the way.
When I got married at 17, I was pregnant. By age 22, I was mom to four little girls under the age of four. My third pregnancy was twins. Our lives were utter chaos.
I was depressed, overwhelmed and exhausted. I couldn’t see straight. I wanted to quit. I thought about suicide. I even had a plan.
But I didn’t do it.
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back.” ~ Anthony Robbins
While crying myself to sleep at night, in-between sobs, I would ask my husband again and again;
“What am I going to do. How do I keep going?”
Sage Advice
His answer was always the same, “You’re going to get out of bed tomorrow morning and do it one step at a time. You’ll concentrate on just putting one foot in front of the other. One step at a time, that’s how you’re going to do it.”
For the next 22 years, I focused only on the step in front of me. It was the most difficult job I ever had and the simplest advice I was ever given. His method didn’t fail me.
Some people think one step doesn’t matter. One step isn’t good enough, important enough or fast enough.
This kind of thinking prevents millions of people from ever moving forward or living their dreams.
Step by step by step…THAT’S IT!
Every day I woke up. Step.
Every trip to the grocery store. Step.
Every meal I cooked. Step.
Every load of laundry. Step.
Every bedtime story. Step.
Every night I fell asleep. Step.
With courage, persistence and determination, the finish line is ALWAYS within reach. But you need, need, need to step out into it. Let courage lead. Let persistence guide. Let determination win.
The girls are grown now.
They survived. In fact they’re very successful.
You’re No Different To Me
Nearly all of my friends see me as brave and courageous. They admire me.
Yet it’s difficult for them to see that they can do the same thing.
But they can and you can, too. Courage is found in the small acts and the small steps of life. Each one counts.
We only have now – this moment. Life is lived one step at a time. Progress is made that way. Step out into courage. Take action in spite of your fear. It’s the ONLY way to go.
Make your move. Let your bravery be seen. Dig deep for your bold. Take a risk. Volunteer. Get a new job. Encourage others. Be of service. Start a movement. Do what frightens you. Make a new friend. Get out of debt. Invent something new.
Go beyond what you think you’re capable of. Do something that will change yourself or the world for the better. Don’t leave anything on the table.
The more courage you practice, the less power fear has over you. The more steps you take, the stronger you become.
It’s time to own your innate gifts. Commit and demonstrate courage. Give yourself credit for everything. Honor and celebrate who you are and what you have to offer this world.
You aren’t here to do what has been done before. You’re here to live your unique dream and do the part you came to do, in the way that you are meant to do it.
Give yourself credit. When you become aware of how many times you’ve stepped through small fears, you’re motivated to move through even bigger fears.
Eventually you’ll not only believe that you can do the task in front of you, you’ll go beyond what you once thought was impossible!
It’s time you step out into your bold and audacious self. It’s time to celebrate your fearlessness.
I see you. I see your potential. I see your beauty and light. I appreciate your wisdom and willingness to step out and into bold and courageous actions every day of your life. I believe in you.
Let the world know you and witness your walk into greatness.
Step out like there’s no tomorrow and live from your magnificence. It’s your time to give it your all! It’s your turn to shine.
The world is your place. Now is your moment.
Bio
Tess Marshall M.A. is founder of The Bold Life and personal development-industry entrepreneur. If you would like help overcoming your fear and living your dream check out her newest creation, the Unstoppable Courage Club.
Image Courtesy of Tambako The Jaguar
Great post, Tess! We need all the inspiration we can get to improve our lives. Yet (sorry, it’s like saying “BUT” and not agreeing,) – just for argument’s sake I’ll take a hypothetical me and say: I would like to take the first small, courageous step, but what if I’m standing at the edge of an abyss? What if this small, courageous step is into deadly Quicksand?
My hypothetical and timid self would rather not take that step and remain in my known comfort zone…There’s this funny Bumper Sticker that says: “I live in my own little world but it’s ok everyone knows me here “.
It is easy to say “just take the first step”. Yet even that little step for some is just too Gung-ho – what do you do as a Coach when confronted with such a client?
I have had such experience where the person I was trying to help (as a Graphologist, I am not a Life Coach) simply wouldn’t take that little step, because they perceived some abyss or Quicksand that I couldn’t fathom. At one point I simply abandoned any further “coaching / guiding / encouraging” – but how frustrating an exercise!
And then – how great a feeling when someone actually takes you on trust and takes that little -courageous – step and…succeeds! What a WOW feeling, the shared happiness. So, what is the above about, in its essence? If anyone reads this and really has this secret fear of the first, courageous little step, there’s one solution: Get a Courage Coach OR get a Life Coach who knows what they are talking about, who have the experience etc. Take the Nike slogan and “Just do it”!
When faced with life difficulties, its really important to be strong and courageous like you did. Congratulations on being a successful mom!
Sadly you’re lame attempt to link failed Anita :(
Your story summarized it all. From experience, I’ve discovered that the more I think of everything, the more I find it difficult to get anything done. Over the past few weeks, I’ve begun to take one step at a time, and it’s been a rewarding experience for me.
Your article is top-notch. Keep them coming.
Michael
I agree Michael, Tess did a great job, thanks for commenting!
Thanks for an excellent post Tess. I agree entirely that not only are small steps the best way to go, they’re often the only way to go!
Cathy,
Glad you can relate! Thanks for your support! Happy 2015!
Thank you Tim and Tess ! Love the step by step approach. This is very inspiring to break through the fear and embrace our courage. Great reminder: “You’re here to live your unique dream and do the part you came to do, in the way that you are meant to do it.”
Sandra,
On my worst days I set the time for 15 minutes and tell my self, “I can do this for 15 minutes. That’s it.” I’ve never quit at just 15.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tess, Your suggestion of “small steps” and examples of how you execute it is really taking a positive hold on me. It’s given me an entirely different perspective on courage and the feeling, “I can do this!”