12 Ways To Unleash Your Inner Courage
What you’re about to learn are very 12 ways to unleash your inner courage to where you are to where you need to go. By consistently implementing the concepts listed below, you will observe a significant and positive transformation in your life.
The one from Unharness
Before we proceed, let me clarify the reason for employing the term “unharness.”
I am convinced that courage already exists within all of us and only needs to be “unleashed.” Deep down, we acknowledge this reality, whether we openly admit it or not. We might as well embrace this truth straightforwardly.
Over the years, societal teachings and unfortunately, even well-intentioned family, friends, or spouses, have often been the source of discouragement, providing reasons why we shouldn’t continue certain actions or pursue specific goals. Their discouragement may not stem from a disagreement with our ideas but could be rooted in their own fear, as they might lack the courage to pursue those goals themselves.
In essence, they unknowingly transmit their fears to us (unintentionally). Sadly, this has led to a reduction in our endeavors. The more we refrain from attempting things due to the fear instilled in us by others, the less our minds recognize the innate courage within us. Consequently, the belief in our inherent courage diminishes.
While external factors or influences can contribute to bringing out courage or connecting us more deeply with our bravery— which I’ll elaborate on in the ideas below— courage is not something derived solely from external sources. Complete courage, or fearlessness, is an inherent aspect of our “spirit.” I mention “physical” because, within the physical realm, some individuals may argue that Satan is a ghost. If that’s the case, what causes Satan to fear God? The more we acknowledge that bravery already resides within us, the more it becomes an authentic reality for us.
I reasoned that it’s likely the reason young children, especially, are so brave (and less self-conscious). They are more closely linked to their “spiritual” selves.
I believe that as individuals age and move towards maturity, they tend to lose touch with the “spiritual” dimension of themselves. This occurs due to the multitude of real or perceived concerns they impose on themselves or absorb from external pressures, be it from others or society. Comparable to how mold gradually conceals a piece of fresh bread left exposed, these worries slowly mask their inherent fearless nature—their fundamental core or center.
12 Ways To Unleash Your Inner Courage
Considering the points mentioned earlier, here are 12 ways to tap into the courage within:
1. Strengthen your conviction that you embody a “fearless” spirit within a physical form. This is your genuine essence, your true self. Embrace this truth, and you’ll witness positive transformations in your life.
Detach yourself from the worry of the body and thoughts, instead clinging to the fearlessness of the spirit.
~ Chin-Ning Chu ~
2. Simply put, put in the effort. DO IT. Try not to overthink things (which generally results in procrastination). Adhere to your decision once it’s made, avoiding unnecessary delays.
This gradually strengthens the sense of courage within your nervous system over time. You’ll develop a closer connection with the courageous aspect of yourself. Consequently, taking action (without hesitation) will feel more natural to you.
Put forth your best effort to prevent worry (or excuses) from infiltrating your mindset. Why? Because, as Seneca’s quote elucidates, when that occurs, the following typically unfolds:
A person who endures suffering before it becomes necessary undergoes more than the necessary amount of suffering.
Furthermore, as per Publilius Syrus’ quote, courage expands through taking risks, while fear intensifies through excessive caution.
3. Allow yourself to be brave (avoid permitting yourself to be cowardly). Similarly, do not grant anyone (or anything) the authority to instill fear in you. The crucial term here is “permission.”
Comprehending and implementing this principle in your everyday life will empower you in ways you never thought possible. It positions you strongly by providing you with control (in other words, you are not merely a passive target for others). You can “consciously” decide whether someone will negatively influence you. As a result, you’ll be more comfortable dealing with others, no matter who they are.
Certain individuals become targets of bullying because “they permit it.” They grant the bully the authority to mistreat them. Conversely, the bully loses power when they are not given permission to exploit others.
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(Gerry Spence’s book, How To Argue And Win Every Time, delves deeply into the concept of “permission.”)
4. Reiterate to others that they can only derive power from you, as you are the source of that power. Providing them with electricity is a gift, and their power is essentially “your perception” of it (meaning, their influence originates in your mind). Your objective is to supply them with as much electricity as possible consistently.
Harnessing this potent principle can assist you in handling others and overcoming your fears and apprehensions. Consistently applying this principle will enhance your capacity to influence anyone, even those in authoritative positions. Moreover, armed with this understanding, you can offer “less” or “no” power to those who misuse it (e.g., bullies or challenging individuals).
Making a conscious decision empowers you and fortifies your courage. Others cannot exploit your strength since their power originates from you. You can effortlessly reclaim the energy you’ve granted them at any moment—simply by being aware.
There is a profound chapter on this principle, as Gerry Spence details in “How To Argue And Win Every Time.”
Instead of being disempowered by the world’s positivity, embrace it. Rather than giving yourself what will empower you, give yourself what will empower you.
~ Les Brown ~
5. The amount of energy something receives is determined by the power you allocate to it. The impact of an occurrence or situation is influenced by the manner in which it is perceived. (Two individuals may undergo similar experiences but respond differently due to the conditions surrounding their shared experiences.)
The power of preference, like principles three and four above, gives you the ability to choose how to perceive, interpret, or enjoy any event.
6. Employ the “calmness connected to worry” technique to maintain composure in situations that typically induce worry and anxiety.
Be prepared for the possibility of anything occurring (such as a situation, an element, a specific individual, a personality type, etc.). Then, foster belief or visualization (in a “connected” manner—meaning, perceiving things in your environment from within your own body and not observing yourself as an actor on a movie screen) of seeing yourself as calm, at ease.
For instance, if encountering positive individuals is one of your greatest fears (such as bullies or tough individuals), envision the bully standing in front of you, shouting loudly, hurling insults, belittling you, asserting authority over you like a dictator, and so on. (Contemplate the worst-case scenario.) As the bully subjects you to torment, make a deliberate effort to relax your body consciously.
Take note of any tension in your body, then envision the word “relax.” Monitor your breathing to ensure it is no longer shallow or excessively rapid. Breathe naturally, with ease. Sense your body gradually becoming more relaxed, even as you envision the bully attempting everything to unsettle your foundation.
You should even wear a smile—by “definitely smile,” I mean, either smile outwardly or smile within yourself while maintaining eye contact (as if conveying, “Who do you think you’re trying to intimidate?”). You can even have an internal chuckle while looking at the person. Do whatever it takes to attain an empowering state—a state of “calm” or “security.” The aim of this exercise is to link the feeling of “calmness” or “security” with the particular fear (in this scenario, the bully) you’re envisioning.
If you execute this exercise successfully (you can do it as frequently as desired, although one or two sessions often prove effective), you will experience a sense of calm or ease when confronted with that specific fear (e.g., the bully). Alternatively, the fear or tension that might have affected you in the past could have significantly diminished to the extent that it no longer troubles or immobilizes you.
7. Constantly strive to enhance your self-awareness—your self-knowledge. As some would advise, know thyself. The more insight you gain into yourself, encompassing your strengths, weaknesses, fears, ideals, goals, and more, the more composed, confident, and courageous you will become.
When two people meet, the one with the most self-awareness always wins. On the opposite, he will be calmer, more assured, and more relaxed.
~ Vernon Howard ~
8. Create a checklist of the following and periodically review it for empowering reinforcement:
Your accomplishments and triumphs extend beyond:
- Risks you’ve undertaken previously
- Your exceptional courage
It allows you to empower yourself in the present moment by recalling past triumphs, courageous deeds, and so forth. As you confront the current challenge, you affirm to yourself, “I’ve accomplished it before, so I can do it again.” Alternatively, “I’ve consistently triumphed in the past, so I can prevail again.”
9. Invest time with individuals who can uplift your mood. Steer clear of those who consistently undermine or criticize your beliefs, whether due to differing beliefs or the acknowledgment that they might reciprocate if roles were reversed. They wish for you to share the same sentiments about them to avoid feeling isolated. In essence, be discerning in choosing your environment, including the people you regularly engage with.
Keep in mind that courage is contagious. The same principle applies to cowardice.
10. Be ready to confront the unforeseen or uncertain. In essence, don’t delay your actions until you have all the answers or a complete understanding of everything. Avoid postponing necessary steps until conditions are perfect.
Gaining this ability will enable you to confront the world with courage and confidence, taking each step as it comes, no matter the situation. You will feel at ease taking action even when not entirely prepared because you will be accustomed to managing the unexpected and possessing the capability to handle whatever challenges arise.
The ability to deal with the unexpected characterizes the difference between success and failure.
~ Ross Perot ~
11. Simply decide that no matter what, worry will no longer get in your way. Complete the necessary tasks, even if you seem apprehensive for some reason. Proceed with your actions despite any reservations. You don’t have to wait for the anxiety to diminish, as suggested in Susan Jeffers’ book, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.”
12. Adopt the mindset of “I have nothing to prove” or “I don’t need to prove anything.” Refrain from the urge to showcase your value to everyone; simply be your authentic self. Emphasize being “expressive” rather than trying to impress. Focusing on “expressing” will make you feel more at ease.
Conclude
To wrap up this text, I’d like to share a heartwarming story from many years ago.
The renowned artist Michelangelo, known for his prowess in painting, sculpting, and architecture, was once asked about his process for creating magnificent statues. He responded, “The perfect statue is already inside the marble block. I simply try to remove the excess.”
Therefore, courage exists within you, waiting to be unleashed. To fully tap into your courage, you must devise methods (such as the ones I’ve already discussed) to chip away at or eliminate any unnecessary anxieties, worries, apprehensions, and the like.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about unlocking your inner courage. I have extensive experience in this area and would be happy to assist you.
Related: Why it’s Important to be Yourself- Genuinity
How to Worry Less and Enjoy Life More
10 Tips for Conquering Your Fears- It’s Within
Signs You a Negative and Toxic Person
Kiersti writes on self-love and personal development professionally. Over the past ten or so years, she has studied self-love and personal growth. Visit https://womansdailyneeds.com/ to learn more about what she does, and like her on Facebook at https://facebook.com/womansdailyneeds to keep up with her.