There are many people in the world who are always afraid and don’t have the courage to make a decision. Those people need help. There are always ways available to make things better. People can become fear-free and bold when they understand some things and follow some ways.
Three thing to know
Strength is a quality that everyone admires. But it is courage, not brute strength, that is often seen as the true sign of strength.
Courage comes in many forms. While many of us will likely never need to use it to throw ourselves into a burning building, we can count on the courage to help us step out of our comfort zone. In order to defend your beliefs, strike up a conversation with a stranger, move to a new city, or change your career, you will need a certain fearlessness. Or just to speak up at work or ask for a raise.
We are not born brave. Chogyam Trungpa, a meditation master and author of the popular book Smile to Fear, wrote that fear can either hold you back or encourage you to awaken courage. Below, he and several other experts share a game plan that will help you “train” your courage.
How to become bold?
Five ways to become bolder in life.
1. Embrace fear
Fear is embedded in our psychological DNA to help us avoid situations that could cause pain, injury, loss, or death. The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung is famous for his saying: “Whatever you resist will persist.” The big secret, experts say, is that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to internalize it. Trungpa compares this to a shower. You have the urge to shower because you feel dirty. “Dirt is what actually makes you wash – in the same way fearlessness comes from fear.”
2. Get all the information you can
The simple fact about humanity is that the less we know about something, the scarier it seems. Uncertainty is a breeding ground for fear. Reduce your insecurities, and you will no doubt get rid of the overwhelming feelings of fear that keep you from getting what you want. Get as much information as possible. This means that you have to explore, practice, and visualize yourself in the situation that scares you the most. When you know what to expect, your confidence grows naturally.
3. Remember to relax
A little healthy fear gives you an adrenaline rush, but remember that too much of it can turn you off. When we feel fear, our breathing becomes unconsciously quick and shallow. Our muscles tighten. To calm down, slow down your breathing and do a few long workouts. And think about what will happen after that. When we try to deal with something that scares us, we are immediately rewarded with a surge of confidence and pride. Focus on how good it will feel.
4. Make commitments in advance
According to Trungpa, fearlessness has a starting point. And it takes discipline to get to that point. The surest way to stick to your plan is to make commitments ahead of time. To make retreat nearly impossible, tell people about your plans or make an official meeting. Thus, you are more likely to achieve your goal, and the statement made will increase your determination and courage. And don’t wait. Guy Winch, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, argues that our emotional courage is prone to leaks, which means the longer you wait, the less you will have.
5. Repeat
Think of your courage as a muscle. The more often you show yourself and don’t let the discomfort hold you back, the easier and more natural it becomes. Over time, these initial first acts of courage will become less difficult, and you will find yourself doing bold things. You will understand that they require much less effort than you expected.
