Average people ask, “What will happen if I fail?”
Compassionate samurai ask, “What will happen if I don’t take this risk”
In Thailand, centuries ago, there was a town with a beautiful gold statue of the Bhudda in the center of their town. Facing imminent invasion from their enemies, they painted over the gold statue with plaster and paint. For years, the statue of the Bhudda stood in the center of the town, it’s true character unknown. Several years ago, construction was being done on the area where it stood. In order to accommodate the construction, the statue had to be moved. The tractors pulled and pulled, the chains around the statue strained and strained. With all the pressure applied, the plaster and paint cracked, and the beautiful gold original was seen for what it truly was, in all its beauty.
Brian Klemmer, in his book,The Compassionate Samurai: Being Extraordinary In An Ordinary World, uses the above example to illustrate that courage and greatness lie within, but are often covered over by fear, laziness, or inaccurate perceptions we have formed of ourselves over the years.
A key success factor for the death of cowardice is the continuous practice of courage!
David was a twelve year old misfit in his family of twelve. He was the ‘failure’ of the family, working in the most dead end job of all jobs. Yet, when a dangerous crisis arose, he was able to kill a giant heavyweight from the enemies of his people. The raw courage he displayed was the stuff out of which he later became king over Israel. You can reach the historical account of David and Goliath here.
We all face danger daily: 50% of marriages end in divorce, great percentages of first businesses fail, growing old and losing your physical strength and abilities is scary. It’s often easier to avoid danger, or to cover over the fear with overeating, laziness, staying in a certain comfort zone, using liquor or drugs to escape.
In the Lion King, Simba grows to believe the lies that his deceitful and jealous uncle plants in his mind: that he is weak, that his father’s death was his fault, and that he does not have what it takes to be a king. Years later, it is when Simba decides to act in line with his true inner greatness, despite fear, that he earns the right to become the Lion King.
Unfortunately, we too have too often come to believe incorrect things about ourselves, and more importantly, about our God. Writing as a Christian, I know that far too many of us Christians act as if we serve a small, powerless God, rather than the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator of the Universe. Our God is too small! And too often we rob ourselves of faith and belief in our God, and in the abilities He has given us.
So, how can we kill cowardice in this next week?
Practice!
Practice taking on challenges head on. It may mean calling that customer that you find intimidating. It may be a tough conversation with your spouse, your friend, or with a business partner. It may mean taking an action toward a decision that will take you out of your comfort zone, such as starting to write a book, starting that blog, or starting that business you have been afraid to start.
Start Small
You don’t have to start out by slaying a 9 foot giant. David, in Scripture, built his courage like a muscle by taking on predators who came after the sheep he was in charge of. Maybe you are not ready to be a manager at work today, but you can begin by stepping up and stepping out for higher risk assignments, or by volunteering to do things that may place you outside of your comfort zone, like doing a presentation that involves public speaking, for example.
Go for the Gold.
It’s okay to receive rewards. When David was considering taking on the Giant, he asked what the reward was. He learned that whoever conquered the Giant would receive the king’s beautiful daughter’s hand in marriage, and that his family and his descendants would be granted tax exemption for generations to come. Remind yourself of the rewards of developing courage: increased self-esteem, greater moral fibre, greater opportunities, better rewards, both financially and intrinsically.
Create your MasterMind Group
Whenever someone steps up to show greatness, there will be equal resistance from negative people around them. This will happen to you. Trust me, they will laugh at you, ridicule you, and even mock you. David’s brothers were angry and upset with him when they found that he was considering fighting the Giant. They thought he had become prideful, arrogant, conceited. But David found others who believed in him and what he could do. Later on in his life, he befriended King Saul’s son, Jonathan, who was one of the most courageous soldiers in Israel. Create your master network. Be choosy of who you associate with in your inner circle. Choose to be with people more successful than you, who will stretch you and affirm you.
Use Your Strengths!
Don’t try to be someone you are not. Don’t just be aware of your weaknesses and try to avoid them. Play to your natural talents and abilities. David chose to forego the bulky armor and sword that were offered to them. Instead, he chose to use the tool of his trade: a sling and five smooth stones. Equipped with faith in his God and in his abilities, he killed the Giant!
Get Some New Glasses!
In other words, change your mind about who you are and about what you can do. More importantly, change your mind about Who God is, and about What God Can Do! As long as the decisions you are making are in line with ethical values, you can have confidence that He will be there to assist you. Unfortunately, we too often view ourselves, our abilities, and God and God’s abilities with out of focus lenses. Everything looks blurry and uncertain. But when we realize who we are and who He is, it gives us the confidence to act with courage.
Twitter: Mazzastick
says:
Hey Stephen,
Great post and something that we often forget to implement in our life. We want simple and easy lives but it takes courage and effort to get there. Getting out of our comfort zone is a sure sign that we are on the right path.
What’s the saying, “No Guts No Glory.”
Justin@Mazzastick recently posted..You Are Not Your Body
Thanks Justin. You’re right: it’s in facing tough obstacles with character and courage that we develop the joy of the journey.
Hi Stephen,
Success is all about moving towards our strengths.
I like asking yourself the question “What will happen if I don’t take a risk?”, will you be stuck in your dead end job? Will you be in a relationship you aren’t happy with? Will you be alone?
Taking risks is required in life, don’t just sit back and watch.
Daniel M. Wood recently posted..Motivational Tip 8 – Working Out Regularly
Daniel, you’re so correct. Asking the right kinds of questions is so key! Thanks for the input.
Very well done Stephen and I love your analogy of the cowardly lion. As entrepreneurs I think we know a bit more about the importance of dredging up all the courage we can muster – pretty much and a day to day basis. I think most of us wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks!
Marquita Herald recently posted..Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide- Learning to Talk to Strangers
The great thing about the cowardly lion is how much like him we all are. Yet he gained courage as he continued to face challenges on the yellow brick road of his life. We can do the same
Beautifully written post. I love the stories that you use to emphasize your points.
You have provided many great suggestions for growth and becoming who we were meant to be. Without the ability and drive to step outside of our comfort zone, we won’t grow or move towards our goals and dreams.
Keeping in mind the rewards for having the courage to step outside that zone, may be the factor that gives you the desire and courage to do it.
Wendy
Wendy Hewlett recently posted..Create Your Own Graphics with PowerPoint
Great point, Wendy. I think often of Robert Kiyosaki: he had to step continuously outside his comfort zone to get where he is today. And so must we, if we wish to move forward in uncertain economic times. As we do this, we will find that opportunity comes our way
Very inspiring Stephen! I would not necessarily call my self a coward but I am kinda shy and have a hard time with confrontation, but I think this stems from a lack of confidence. I am trying to improve this about myself since I realize this. I try and improve myself on a day to day basis.
Valerie recently posted..Novica Promotion Code
Valerie, I have a feeling you’re going to surprise yourself with the courage and confidence you’ll be developing
Hi Stephen – This is a great resource of how to face things head on even if you are afraid of the circumstances or outcome. You give some really good advice for all of us who struggle with this from time to time. I definitely agree with you that we need to be ourself and work with the strengths we have available to us. Thanks
Glyna Humm recently posted..Appreciation Marketing – A Must Read For Home Business Owners!
Glyna, as you well point out, all of us who conquer outwardly have had to conquer inwardly first. I am a fellow struggler on the journey. But is it not so much better to struggle and overcome, than to turn and run away?
Hello Stephen,
I was shy in my youth yet I had big dreams, so I found myself, time and time again, having to step up to the plate and step out of my comfort zone, but once I did, I ussally also found out, things weren’t as bad as I thought they would be.
I pray and ask for courage and try to move forward.
Many times what has given me courgae to do something out of my comfort zone, was the thought, if I don’t do something, things certainly will not change nor get any better then they are currently.
I have found that doing nothing can leave you worse off.
I agree with you, I hear many Christains proclaim, I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength, yet they freeze up at the first sign of a challenge.
We all take risk everyday, might as well face the gaint and defeat it, so we can get on with our life.
Cheers,
Willie
willie@freedom to be your own boss recently posted..Putting the Serve Back In Customer Service
Willie, it’s often those who are shyest or most timid who accomplish the greatest things. It’s not the absence of fear, but the facing of it that turns out for their greatest benefit. Thanks for the great input!
Hi Stephen,
Your post is very motivating. It’s hard to eradicate the cowardice and move to the next level of greatness and strength. It’s very common that people could not face the fear. That the fear is created by ourselves, actually. It could be beaten by the power of our mindset. We must create the strength from ourselves. Your tips could the the one to beat the fear. Thanks for sharing it.
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You’re welcome, Andrew. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
Hey Stephen – Great post! The effort it takes to face obstacles, challenges and fear head, which means being entirely out of my comfort zone, is often where I see the most progressive results – it’s a place where we can begin to manifest and achieve greater results. Like you say, it takes courage to get there, along with focus, commitment and persistence. So much for “the easy life” – how boring that would be anyway! I know there are times I’d like to give up when faced with particularly ugly or ongoing obstacles; however, the feeling is thankfully fleeting and I remember giving up is never an option. I become bulldog determined again! Besides, I like myself so much more when I face obstacles versus sticking my head in the sand. Practise makes this so much easier and the rewards are so deserving! Thanks for the awesome post! Loren
Loren, I love your bulldog analogy
And it’s great to think that facing challenges takes the boredom out of life. I remember reading Tony Robbins’ book, Awaken the Giant Within. He had just come back from an exhausting whirlwind tour of speaking, and had a long list of “to do’s” for his regular business. Rather than dread them, he asked, “How can I make this fun?” So he took his cell phone, got in his hot tub, and started making his business calls from his tub 
Sometimes, courage is about facing our challenges with creativity.
Twitter: Smartfatblogger
says:
Hi Stephen,
Very nice, I can certainly feel the emotions attached. Thanks for sharing this article.
Thanks.
Suraj @SmartFatBlogger recently posted..Hostgator VPS Promotional Code
Twitter: Smartfatblogger
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Hi, Very Awesome post. We need to stay emotionally strong at times.
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Twitter: steve_dooley215
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Hey Stephen, great post man! I’m a Christian also and the analogy to David really resonated with me. Even if some readers aren’t that familiar with the tale, you did a great job of explaining how to overcome some of the fears that are holding us back from achieving greatness in life and in business. I need to get on the phone and make more calls, but fear has been holding me back. You’re right. It’s overcoming that very fear that will take my business to the next level.
Thanks for the kick in the butt!
Steve Dooley
Steve Dooley recently posted..Why Are We In Business We Must Keep Things In Perspective
Believe me, Steve, I kick myself in the butt first and foremost
Because, like you, I face fears every day. It’s great to have the examples of men and women just like you and me who were able to overcome through courage and faith. I’m looking forward to hearing about you achieving the next level in your business! 
Hey Stephen, I really enjoyed your post. These are things that should be so simple to do yet we don’t exercise these particular muscles on a daily basis, and thats a shame. You have reminded us of some very important factors and I love the stories of David and the others to really help drive the point home.
I try to take the small steps in my business and my life like you suggest first, making that call to a client or even a bill collector that you may have been dreading and doing the things that are least enjoyable first because I know this will build up my “courage muscles.”
I think that this helps me a lot because these mini victories help the rest of my day go smoother and ultimately build up my confidence, not to mention shows my children the proper example of not running from problems.
Thanks for the post Stephen.
JFoster
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John, you offer such a great suggestion and word picture: building muscles. Sometimes it’s not the giants we need to face, but those nagging items on our to do list that we would rather not face. Taking a small risk daily is a great way to build those courage muscles. Thanks for the input!
Very nice article Stephen, I really love the topic because almost everyone can relate to it. Facing your fears everyday is unimaginable and it takes a lot of balls to stand your ground and overcome it. Actually, war movies makes me feel brave for an hour lol! Thanks for sharing
Jill, I’m glad you enjoyed the article
Nice post Stephen,
We all face fears in life and in business. If we do not confront our fears then it is hard for us to develop as a person and for our business.
One of my fears when I was starting my online career was the fear of phoning customers. If I had not faced that fear then I would not be as confident as I am now. And I also learnt at the same time to congratulate myself in the process. Take pride and take praise and results come more naturally.
Thanks Stephen!
Aidan Gibson
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Aidan, thank you for your input. I like the idea of congratulating yourself for small steps taken to overcome fears. It’s an added boost. I wish you the best as you continue to tackle those giants
Many thanks Stephen!
I wish you all the best to!
Aidan Gibson recently posted..Send Free Video Emails With iWowWe
Twitter: steveshoemaker
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“Unfortunately, we too have too often come to believe incorrect things about ourselves, and more importantly, about our God. Writing as a Christian, I know that far too many of us Christians act as if we serve a small, powerless God, rather than the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator of the Universe. Our God is too small! And too often we rob ourselves of faith and belief in our God, and in the abilities He has given us.”
Steve that is an awesome point. As a Christian myself I see this as the church’s and people’s problem in common.
We have believe that we are here for a reason and we are meant to succeed. You make some great points look forward to the newsletter.
Steve
Steve Shoemaker recently posted..Use The New Facebook Group Feature For Great Syndication
Steve, thank you very much for your input. Faith, excercised, is the antidote to fear!
Twitter: EBScribblings
says:
Great post – which I think a lot of people will relate to. Thanks for that.
The easiest person to underestimate is always yourself. Facing your fears, one at a time, even the smaller ones, will help you to realise your full potential – which is enormous.
Hamish recently posted..Kindle Touch vs Nook Touch
Hamish, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: stutteringhub
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Loved the bit about using your strengths Stephen. We all have them. Every minute spent worrying about our weaknesses could be one extra minute we could spend on amplifying our strengths!