The Guide to Being Courageous

Source: Michael Dziedzic / Unsplash

Last year, I did something courageous: I joined a pottery class. At first glance, it may sound silly—why would anyone fear pottery? Well, I did. As an overachieving, perfectionist, control-freak introvert, the thought of attending a group class to learn a skill I was bound to struggle with in the beginning was terrifying. And, yet, I did it. For years, I'd toyed with the idea but always found excuses to hold back. Finally, I made the leap—and I loved it. (You can read about exactly why in my earlier piece.)

That's why when it came time to choose my word for 2025, I knew it had to be courage. It had led to so many wonderful things for me last year, and I wanted to keep that momentum going. But, of course, courage is not always easy. Fear often sneaks in, threatening to paralyze us.

Fear has a way of taking the reins, steering us toward pain, helplessness, and stagnation. On the other hand, courage opens doors to power, choice, excitement, and action—that's where we want to be! This doesn't mean that the fear disappears; rather, courage is the act of moving forward in spite of it. And the more you face your fears, the lighter, freer, and stronger you'll feel.

So, whatever it is that's holding you back, here are 10 tips to help you face fear with confidence:

1. Acknowledge your fear. Denying your fear only gives it more power, making it louder and stronger. So, acknowledge its presence. Tell your fear, I see you. I hear you. I feel you. This alone can lessen its grip and give you room to act.
2. Identify why the fear is there. Is it fear of the unknown? Concern about failure? Worry about others' opinions? Or perhaps it's because its success matters so deeply to you. Understanding where your fear comes from helps you to work with it rather than against it.
3. Start small. What's the tiniest, easiest step you could take toward your goal? Then take that step. Then take another. And another. Each small action builds momentum, making each next step easier and your confidence stronger.
4. Engage in positive self-talk. Encourage yourself the way you would encourage a good friend. Replace self-doubt with affirmations like, I can do this, or I am capable. The power of positive words will fuel you forward.
5. Remind yourself of your strengths. What are your biggest and best strengths that you love to use? How can you use them to face this challenge? Doing what you do best will make you feel braver to face anything. If you're learning something new, bring your natural abilities to play. For example, if you're an introvert meeting new people, use your talent for deep conversations. If you're a writer exploring creativity through art, remind yourself that if you can create with words you can also create with a paintbrush.
6. Celebrate each step of courage. Every small act of courage deserves recognition. Each step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, is a cause for celebration. These wins will keep you motivated and inspired.
7. Get comfortable with failure. Let's face it: Failure is a part of life. You are bound to make mistakes, take missteps, and fail. That's how you learn and improve. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as a teacher. Sure, some failures are higher stakes than others (Heart surgeons, we see you!), but most mistakes are opportunities to grow in ways you otherwise wouldn't.
8. Recall when you were last courageous. You've been brave before. Think of a time when you overcame your fear. What did you do to move forward then? Let those past victories remind you of your strength.
9. Reflect on your growth. Stop and take stock of how far you've come and how much you've grown. Every challenge you've faced has contributed to the courageous person you are today. Sure, we all have off days when we feel less courageous than others, but taking a step back to look at the big picture is a powerful motivator.
10. Step out of your comfort zone. As cliché as it sounds, life really does begin at the end of your comfort zone. Research has repeatedly shown that growth—and happiness—thrive when we stretch ourselves. So be courageous and take that first step. You have the strength to face it.