What Bold People Know and Do


Not to dream more boldly may turn out to be, in view of present realities, simply irresponsible. ~ George Leonard 

 

Bold people think differently, speak differently, and do things differently. Think about Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, and Henry David Thoreau. They lived in an unimaginable realm.


And Nelson Mandela, he not only survived, he made up his mind to thrive. In 1963 he was sentenced to a life time in prison for sabotage and other charges. After being imprisoned for 27 years he went on to become President of South Africa. 


Read on for tips on how to live a bold life.

Bold people spend time with people who contribute to their sense of well-being. Let the toxic relationships go. Every one of them. Stop holding yourself back!

Fill up your time and space with people who want to support you, those who can give you what you need. Then return the favor.  

To change your life: Start immediately; do it flamboyantly; no exceptions. ~ William James 

Bold people keep on giving.

Put down your score card. Drop your expectations. Be generous anyway. Give without wanting something in return.

 

Help others succeed. Just when you feel like pulling back do the opposite. Give more. You'll never regret it.

 

Every day, you are signaled and summoned to embark on a journey beyond the boundaries of all you have ever know. You need only relinquish your fears, open your heart and begin. ~ Bob Savino 

 

Bold people drop their need for approval.

Focus on your actions rather than the reactions others have towards you. Life is too short to please everyone. So what if someone doesn't like you. So what if someone says, "No." So want if you get rejected. Next…

 

Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around. ~ Henry David Thoreau

  

Bold people make things happen.

For the next five days do something that you've never done before, something you feel is impossible.

 

Make the dreaded phone call. Ask for what you need. Go after what you want. Change a habit. Attend AA. Create something new. Tell someone that you love them. Make someone laugh. 


My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.~ Maggie Kuhn


Bold people expect good things to happen.

Condition your mind to be a bold and positive. 
Jump to amazing conclusions. We are programmed by the media to expect the worst.

 

Do the opposite.What if everything works out great? What if I get the job? What if I get another chance. Learn to expect the best. Keep the big picture in mind. That's what counts.

 

I do wish to run, to seize this greatest time in all the history of man to be alive, to stuff my senses with it, to eye it, touch it, listen to it, smell it, taste it, and hope that others will run with me, pursuing and pursued by ideas. ~ Ray Bradbury


Bold people love to talk.

Get over your fear of new people. This week connect with three strangers in person, everyday. In your favorite coffee shop, the grocery store or the gas station, say hello, smile, begin with small talk.

 

Soon you'll get good at it. People are lonely and isolated. Be outrageous, daring, and loving.


We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars.  

 

Bold people have a clear vision of the future. 

Expect to succeed. Replace doubt and fear with hard work and a clear outcome. Don't be afraid of detours.

 

Stuff happens and you might have to change your direction. It's all part of the journey. Be flexible and remain open.


We have to challenge the status quo to allow for a better future. ~ Samuel Mockbee


Bold people learn from others.

Find a mentor. Hire a coach. Watch people who are good at what they do. Attend conferences, webinars, or teleseminars. Learn, learn, learn.

 

Reflect on courageous people, their stories and quotes. Allow them to inspire you. Bold people think, speak, and do things differently.


One thing I've learned. Never set limits on yourself, not in the race, not in life.You may not win every battle,  you may not win every race, but there is glory to be found in any worthwhile human endeavor. ~ Hobart Brown

 

Bold people celebrate success.

Reflect over your past year and make a list of your successes, big and small. Be encouraged by your list. Condition your mind to be brave. Think brave thoughts and take bold action. Reward yourself. 

 

Keep moving forward with your plan to make a difference and do great things.


To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception. It is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation. Either in time or in eternity. ~ Soren Kierkegaard.

 

Bold people come from a place of love and connection. 

When they don't they correct themselves and start again. 


News!

 

My good friend Anastasiya Goers from Balance In Me has a wonderful guide that will help you grow forward into the new year. It's the perfect time to reflect on how you can make your life better. 

I've personally read her it and can say that she's done a fantastic job. It's beautifully designed and filled with the most recent information on how to live a balanced life. I am an affiliate of hers. Check it out below.


What else do bold and brave people do? Please share in the comments below.

{ 26 comments… add one }

  • Ken Wert December 1, 2011, 9:44 am

    Tess, this is just awesome! I’ma student of history and one of the reaons I love it is for the lessons it teaches. Bold people truly do learn from others. They learn from people and events and circumstances. They are always open to be intructed. There isn;t the pride of always being right by those who are, instead, looking for WHAT is right.

    And a clear vision is also critically important. Very few people stumble into greatness. The know what they want, have a clear view of how to get there (while staying open to course corrections as they learn) and work relentlessly at getting there.

    Could I add one, Tess? I suppose int’s implied in always learning, but I would say bold poeple always grow. They are even passionate about developing and improving skills and attributes and attitudes and character traits.

    This is an important post, Tess. I’m going to go Tweet it now!

    Reply
  • Melody | Deliberate Receiving December 1, 2011, 1:17 pm

    Hi Tess,

    Awesome post! I love this. Every point is amazing, but I especially like the points you made about engaging with others and surrounding ourselves with like minded and inspiring individuals. It’s easy to isolate ourselves during periods of growth. We feel vulnerable, the risk is hard enough without subjecting it to scrutiny.But we assume that others will bring us down. What about those who uplift us, teach us and make it easier?

    If I could add anything it would be that bold people always question. We don’t accept anything “as is” or simply “because it’s always been done that way”. We question and determine and evaluate on a case by case basis. :o)

    Huge hugs to you,
    Melody

    Reply
  • A-Ma December 1, 2011, 3:07 pm

    Absolutely brilliant post! I read it out to my boys (9 and 14 yrs) over breakfast this morning! A-M xx

    Reply
  • John Sherry December 1, 2011, 3:13 pm

    You make bold real gold here Tess! Bold souls live in a world that may be in their mind and imagination but one they know will exist on earth in time too. They’re not fantasists, merely realists of the future. They move towards what they know already exists while most others hark for what has been or what they don’t want to lose. And where would we be without them? Riding horses, using semaphore, and living in a 2-d black and white world! Yes, here’s to the bold and their germination of this Earth.

    Reply
  • Chris Barba December 1, 2011, 6:06 pm

    Ah! Another brilliant gem Tess. “Bold people drop their need for approval.” I think this is the current lesson I am faced with. Not trying to disappoint anyone would require adapting to a range of personalities that are not truly you.

    In the world that we live in. If you stick to who you are, there will be some resistance, but it will be worth the while because it is who YOU are!

    This is so exciting to me because like I said it is exactly the challenge I currently face! Great post Tess! And have an awesome weekend in Vegas!

    Reply
  • Jane December 1, 2011, 7:29 pm

    I’m plenty bold-enough for me … Frustrating that my strength can’t save those that I love. The weight is a bit much sometimes, and I wish I could change that ~

    Reply
  • Angela Artemis/Poweredbyintuition December 1, 2011, 7:30 pm

    Tess,
    I love it! I feel bold just reading your article.
    Bold people go out and make things happen – that’s bold. We don’t wait for opportunity to knock on our door – we go out and find opportunity, right?
    Thank you. I was going to take a break but I feel energized to continue now for another hour.
    Hugs,
    Ange

    Reply
  • Alex Blackwell | The BridgeMaker December 1, 2011, 7:43 pm

    Bold people step outside of their comfort zone and grow – thanks for growing with me Tess!

    Alex

    Reply
  • Joy December 1, 2011, 10:50 pm

    Bold people do all of the above..and they are able to do so because they know their “self” very well, their strengths, skills, talents, and use those as they create the moment that they are in.
    May we each celebrate the bold that we “see”..thank you for sharing an inspirational list of bold people:)

    Reply
  • Cathy | Treatment Talk December 1, 2011, 11:46 pm

    Love the post, Tess! I felt energized just reading it. I like them all, but “Bold people expect good things to happen” jumped out at me. Going through life with a positive outlook gets you so much further in life. Bold people are creative and are not afraid to act on it. Thanks for the inspiration to be Bold.

    Reply
  • Paige | simple mindfulness December 1, 2011, 11:52 pm

    I think bold people can accomplish all of these things because they are committed to living in accordance with their own personal values. So often we de-value our values in order to gain approval and “get ahead.” Deciding on what our top values are and making every choice in accordance with them leads to an amazing and happier life.

    Thank you for this reminder of the things to weave into each new day!

    Reply
  • susie@newdaynewlesson December 2, 2011, 2:50 am

    Loved the post.

    There was one item though that kind of didn’t sit right with me-not so much the title as your comments under it.

    In the giving paragraph you wrote “Just when you feel like pulling back do the opposite. Give more. You’ll never regret it.” I think that sometimes you need to listen to yourself when you are pulling back. I know with myself personally there is something called giving too much. Sometimes giving to others can be at the expense of your mental and physical well-being.

    So while I give and want to keep on giving I also need to listen to myself when although my heart is saying yes-give my body is saying no-it’s too much.

    Reply
  • Lance December 2, 2011, 4:38 am

    Tess,
    This is just super-inspiring!! Wow!! I’m loving reading this – and the energy I feel as I do! It’s like a shot of adrenaline…for going out there and really living life!

    …off to boldly go where I have never gone before…

    Reply
  • Peggy Nolan December 2, 2011, 9:30 am

    Dear Tess,

    I love, love, love, love, love (did I say LOVE?) this article! What a great way to start my Friday…and now I’m off, boldly, to Infinity and Beyond :-)

    xxxoooo
    Peggy

    Reply
  • Rand December 2, 2011, 11:40 am

    “Condition your mind to be a bold and positive. Jump to amazing conclusions. We are programmed by the media to expect the worst.”

    No matter what your age is, the life you have lived up until now has been a full-out war of fear waged by the media, commercials, campaigns, private interest, governments, religions, negative complaining on the street, etc, etc. From skirmishes…to an all-out ‘Battle of the Bulge’.

    Be *BOLD*!

    Change this fact. Be determined. Throw away your TV set. Read enlightening books. Make your manifesto for *Self Happiness*. Serve yourself, your family, and your community. Align with nature. Align with universal flow and light. Love not ‘His Lordship’ but do Love the Lord.

    Prioritize Peace In Your Life.

    Do not allow programing to shape your day as to “expect the worst”, but live your life boldly fruitful because you do:

    “Expect the end of the world” ___ Wendell Berry http://www.panhala.net/Archive/Manifesto_II.html

    Reply
  • David Stevens December 2, 2011, 5:53 pm

    Hi Tess,
    I’m getting bolder by the minute…..
    be good to yourself
    David

    Reply
  • Kristen Marie December 2, 2011, 9:45 pm

    Fantastic post, I think that sometimes you need to listen to yourself when you are pulling back. I know with myself personally there is something called giving too much. Sometimes giving to others can be at the expense of your mental and physical well-being. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Jt Clough | Big Island Dog December 3, 2011, 8:18 pm

    Another fabulous post. I LOVE BoLDneSS! :)
    The more I practice the more outrageously awesome my life gets. I’ve been told I’m a teacher. I’m embracing that too.
    You write such GREAT stuff.
    Mahalo Tess.

    Reply
  • Noel December 4, 2011, 8:26 am

    I love your tips especially “Focus on actions than other people’s reactions”. Besides all those great attitude that a bold people practice, I think they are also the ones who are willing to admit their own mistake, learn from it, move on with a positive outlook and never afraid to try it again. I wish I’m that ‘bold’ too :)

    Reply
  • Jerry Stocking December 5, 2011, 5:07 pm

    I am tempted to read the article over and over again, substituting the word “Bold People” with other words like: “Wise People” and “Scared People” and then just for laughs, “Tall People” and “Tan People”

    Reply
  • Ronnie Brown December 6, 2011, 8:05 am

    Tess, this is great. I would also say that bold people never give up. Even when they experience adversity, temporary defeat, and discouragement, they persist and rise above, pressing on to the desires of their heart until they are realized. They are strong and resilient, despite adversity and affliction.

    Bold people know that “motion beats meditation,” and that while they do attract goodness into their lives they must also work towards their dreams, meeting them half-way. In the words of von Goethe: “Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

    Best,

    Ronnie

    Reply
  • Tonya December 6, 2011, 9:32 am

    What an empowering article!! I especially like these: Bold people drop their need for approval, and bold people expect good things to happen. I need to print this out and post it everywhere around my house as a reminder of how to live more boldly. It’s amazing how much even a little bit of fear can hold us back.

    Reply
  • Galen Pearl December 6, 2011, 6:59 pm

    Like Angela, I felt bold just reading this! Especially the point about loving to talk. Ha! Really, I think I have gotten bolder as I’ve gotten older. I wonder if that’s a common experience. There is a sense of less time to just dither about worrying about what other people think. I loved the fact that one commenter read the article to his kids. Young people should all read this!

    Reply
  • Lenia December 7, 2011, 10:52 am

    A post full of positive energy, ideas and tips to become like “bold people” if we are not yet. Expecting good things to happen seems such a difficult point when we are surrounded by negativity, pessimism and crisis! That is why we need to keep reading articles full of inspiration like this one. Thank you :)

    Reply
  • Tim December 9, 2011, 4:49 pm

    HI Tess:

    Wow, great post…this is one I want to print out as a reminder (Hint, hint…it might make a great poster)! So much great wisdom here. Your suggestion to connect with three new people is especially timely. Last night, I attended my college alumni association holiday party by myself. There were plenty of moments I felt awkward as I tried to engage others…and plenty of moments I just wanted to go home. But I met some amazing people and had fun conversations that reminded me that taking a risk to connect with others is worthwhile. I hope all is well with you.

    Reply
  • Tess December 10, 2011, 6:52 am

    Tim,
    I totally get it. Most people think because I can speak to 1000 people I am good at networking 1 x1. Wrong! It’s more intimate that way. So I feel your pain and I’m happy I inspire you. Thanks for stopping by.

    Reply

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