To be courageous, it helps to first define your “Courage Criteria,” or the values that you would not want to compromise, even in a challenging situation. Once you feel you know these values, you can choose to live your life in accordance with them, speaking up or taking action in support of them, even when it’s not the most popular thing to do.
Begin by writing in your journal, or simply finding some quiet time to think about the values that are most important to you. Ask yourself, “What are the values that I would not want to compromise?” List them in your journal.
Once you feel you know these virtues, think of a situation where you weren’t able to speak with Courage in a way that you wanted to.
Ask yourself:
- Which values were you compromising?
- What would you do differently next time if you were faced with the same challenge?
- What are some things you could do now to make it easier to speak up next time?
Get started by practicing small acts of Courage in your daily life— it will help prepare you in the event that you are ever faced with a situation that calls for a large dose of Courage. It’s ok if the thought of speaking up makes you nervous—anxiety is a natural response. The important thing is that you are living your truth, and speaking up in a sensitive way that can be beneficial to others.
Share with us in the comments below: After performing the exercise above, what are some of your core values that you would not want to compromise?
this is a wonderful blog! This is the journey I am currently on. It is at times disconcerting because you fight with your own old ideas…until you learn what YOU truly believe and once that is determined, you can release the negative and be happy!
Speaking my truth is something I have always struggled with. However, since the beginning of the year, I have been making slow, small strides towards being more courageous and forthcoming to others about how I truly feel. I find it’s easier to be open and honest with some people than others. Nevertheless, it is a journey I am commited to.
It is so very difficult to speak my truth at times, I am always worried that I will say the wrong thing. So I often keep quiet about how I feel about certain things. The problem with that is that things build up, and then I end up saying things in the wrong way. I have been really trying to just speak my truth, for about a year now, I also try very hard to think before I speak. If I don’t immediately react, and think things through, I am less likely to say things that I will regret. I am getting much better also about looking at things in different ways….I am not always right…..and that’s the truth. :)