What Business Owners Know About Courage: The Relentless Mindset Behind Success

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Courage is a topic close to my heart. Ask me , I am business owner. Every day, I feel vulnerable and weak as an entrepreneur.

But, being a small business owner has taught me a few things. It has taught me the courage to be imperfect. It has made me do what I want to do inspite of having fear in my head and heart.

Ever since I have quit my day job, I have had nagging doubts about whether I will be able to make the impact I want to on this world. Am I seeking purpose or am I seeking profit? How is my enterprise being seen by the outside world?

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What Is Courage?

Courage is continuing to pursue what we believe in, inspite of the threat of danger, risks and the ultimate failure.

When we are working, there will be many forces in action in favor of us and also against us. That is when it helps to adopt a courageous mindset.

The next thing is to embrace self-efficacy. It is a learnable mindset that makes people believe that they can accomplish what they’ve set out to do. When we adopt this trait, we are able to set our sights higher, try harder and persevere longer in the face of obstacles.

Next, we must aim at having short term and long term goals. Goals make us accountable and question our actions. So make sure you keep revisiting your goals and keep aligning them to your personal values. That way you don’t have to fear doing the wrong thing.

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The biggest assest in your path forward can be an accountability partner. In other words, get yourself a partner in crime. Someone who is your first fan. OK, mom, I am not talking about you. You know what I mean. Someone who can believe in you and cheer you on. Unleash the power of community in your favor. Most importantly, tell people about your dreams.

Have an optimistic attitude. Yeah, does that mean you can stay complacent and hope things will work out? Absolutely not. It means, you’re ready to forgive when things go haywire and you are your biggest cheerleader.

Look up and outside. I am sure there will be someone you admire who has done something that had seemed impossible at that time. Read about real life heroes and get inspired. Ask for help, reach out to people who can mentor you.

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Courage is also contextual and deeply personal. Taking the year end exams might be a terrifying thing for your child, but an important step in achieving a milestone for you as a parent. So understand the context that demands your courage.

In the amazing book, The 48 Laws of Power by Joost Elffers and Robert Greene, this is what the authors say.

“When you show yourself to the world and display your talents, you naturally stir all kinds of resentment, envy, and other manifestations of insecurity… you cannot spend your life worrying about the petty feelings of others”

“If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.”

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Ultimately the cure for our rational and irrational fears are within us, within our minds.

So ask yourself. When was the last time I failed at anything?

When When was the last time I acted courageously? When was the last time I believed in myself and forged ahead with my convictions?

Go on.

Show up for yourself consistently. Look back at where you came from. You have achieved so much. Pat yourself on the back. Celebrate small wins. Create your own momentum. Never forget courage, its already inside you.

Go on.

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WORKS CITED: The 48 Laws of Power by Joost Elffers and Robert Greene

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