You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Courage rarely makes a grand entrance. It usually begins as a quiet push from within, a feeling that where you are isn’t where you are meant to stay. Then comes the tipping point, when the cost of staying the same becomes greater than the risk of stepping into the unknown. That’s when change begins.

As leaders, recognizing this moment is critical. It’s what allows us to make bold, effective decisions, not just for ourselves, but for our teams and organizations. True leadership is about weighing risk with intention, and having the decisiveness to act when it matters most.

So how do you build courage?

1️⃣ Pay attention to restlessness.
It’s easy to brush it off as impatience or distraction. But often, that inner tension is your mind signaling that you’re ready for more. You shouldn’t ignore it but try to explore it.

2️⃣ Take small, calculated risks.
Courage does not have to mean leaping off a an airplane for a skydive if you are afraid of heights. Start with smaller steps, say yes to something that makes you slightly uncomfortable. Over time, your threshold will expand.

3️⃣ Know your tipping point.
You will feel the push between fear and freedom. When discomfort with the current outweighs fear of the unknown, that’s your signal. The courage lies in recognizing that moment and choosing not to retreat.

4️⃣ Redefine your limits.
Don’t treat limits as walls but consider them as a starting point. You need to test and stretch them and each time you do, you redefine what is possible for yourself.

5️⃣ Create your own definition of success.
Not every risk will land perfectly, but if it moves you forward either mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, you should consider that as a win.

Courage is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more it shows up when you need it. Where fear meets action, you find clarity, confidence, and freedom.

Photo via unsplash