8 Everyday Actions That Require Courage Training and Should Be Olympic Sports
what would you add to this list?
This week, I almost was able to take a video of my 18-year-old daughter freaking out before she made an adulting phone call.
I’ve seen videos of others’ doing this so I thought it would be fun.
She wouldn’t let me.
Fine.
Still, we all remember that stomach-churning feeling of needing to make a phone call we didn’t want to make.
As someone who isn’t much of a phone person, I get it.
This got me to thinking about some other really hard things we have to do regularly that require badass courage — and practice.
Here’s a quick list.
8 Everyday Actions That Require Courage Training and Should Be Olympic Sports
Sweaty Palm Conversations — Much like the phone calls, we sometimes have to say things to others that we do not really want to say, that make us feel a good bit ill, in fact. One of my clients calls this Sweaty Palm Conversations. Bréne Brown calls this “Rumbling” and I call it doing the hard things. If this was a competitive sport, we’d practice having these conversations over and over until we mastered them.
Rest — Now, this really should be an Olympic sport. Nothing is harder for my clients — and myself — than giving ourselves permission to step away from the busyness and rest. Rest is often something we need to earn. Rest is something we don’t know how to do. Rest is something we long for but never prioritize. If this were a competitive sport, we’d all be racing to win and as long as we tried we would all be champions.
Speaking — No matter how much time passes, or how much Generative Artificial Intelligence designed, human beings still really dislike having to speak up in front of other people. Speaking to a group — something that I used to dread myself — is a Masterclass in doing hard things. My clients’ who want to do this but are afraid learn quickly that the only way through is … through on this one. If this were a competitive sport, we’d welcome opportunities for ALL voices to speak up knowing they may win the Gold.
Asking for Help — I’m not sure why this is so hard for us — myself included. But it is. Admitting weakness, or defeat can absolutely make us feel like failures … but in my experience and in my clients’ experiences, asking for help — and actually receiving help!! — leaves you feeling so much more resilient and happy. If this were a competitive sport, those who stop caring how they are judged by others would win.
Accepting Help — I’ve been coaching people for more than 12 years and there’s a lot of patterns and overlap for sure but the big common denominator is the very real struggle of being willing to accept help. It’s one thing to ask — or get resentful because you are not getting help or support. It’s another to let someone take the reigns and do the things — perhaps not at all in the way you imagined. If this were a competitive sport, those who learn fast and learn early to delegate win.
Making Challenging Decisions — I love how coaching helps people make decisions faster. Sometimes I think that is the whole investment … the investment into making up your mind. Let’s face it … we like to research and overthink and because of this we get stuck in the mud of analysis paralysis and end up in overwhelm and inaction. Definitely a pattern I see all the time. If this were a competitive sport, those who make decisions — even the imperfect or wrong ones — would ultimately get further ahead and win.
Being You; Doing You — What would it be like if we all felt safe enough to step out of our homes and just be full ourselves and do exactly what we want to do? Pretty incredible. We’ve come a long way in this direction and people do feel more able to be themselves more than ever but far too many still haven’t reached that point. Being YOU at work, in your neighborhood, when driving around town … requires courage muscles that can only be built through practice. If this were a competitive sport, we’d all have a lot of work to do in order to win.
Saying No. Ooh, could you imagine if this was a competitive sport? How fun! Saying NO to others so that you can say YES to yourself is such a challenging thing to do. And yet, it’s vital. In business, one of the hardest things we can do is say no to a possible client or customer who is just not working out. Saying No feels uncomfortable and icky but it brings you closer to the life you want and that is a great big Braving YES moment. If Saying No to what’s not in alignment for you was a competitive sport, those who focus on the possibility and positive outcomes of their No rather than the rejection and disappointment would absolutely win.
OK, YOUR turn … what would you add to this list? Let’s have some fun.
ABOUT ME
Hello —
I’m Shawn (she/her) — a business strategist, coach and facilitator for teams and groups.
I founded The Brave YES Mindset™ when I had to make some really difficult decisions and take some very challenging steps to change my identity and business.
Now, I coach and teach brave strategy and leadership to founders, CEOs and organizations all over the world.
Reading is my favorite pastime. Writing is my life. This newsletter is an attempt to build an audience for my forthcoming book about the Brave YES Mindset™. Thanks for being here!