When confidence wanes, turn to courage

“When you are operating out of courage you are saying that no matter how you feel about yourself or your opportunities or the outcome, you are going to take a risk and take a step towards what you want. You are not waiting for the confidence to mysteriously arrive.” — Debbie Millman

People talk a lot about confidence. Hold yourself high. Pose powerfully. Look at your power board. Believe in yourself. You can do anything. You’ve got this.

But sometimes it’s just not there. You are a confident-free zone. You know that, deep down, you don’t actually know what you’re doing. You’re just throwing things against a wall, hoping something sticks. You’re hanging on to today by a thread. You don’t feel like giving that speech. Leading that meeting. Teaching the class. Doing the deal. Making the call. Having that conversation. Doing what you know you should do.

When confidence wanes, turn to courage.

Courage is doing it even though you know you’ll fail.

Courage is doing it after you’ve failed.

And then doing it again.

And again.

Courage is speaking up even if you’re the only voice.

Courage is saying no and facing the consequences.

Courage is saying yes and facing the consequences.

Courage is doing it differently than everyone else.

Courage is looking stupid.

Courage is being laughed at.

Courage is doing it again after looking stupid and being laughed at.

Courage is admitting your fear, your ignorance, your weakness.

Courage creates more courage.

Courage creates success.

And success creates confidence.