How to Be Brave: 20 More Bold Acts that Count

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Do you see yourself as the bold and courageous person that you are? Do you give yourself credit for the times in the past when you’ve been afraid and you’ve taken action anyway?

I want you to begin to notice just how brave you are. Become aware of the everyday courageous acts that you participate in but don’t give yourself credit for. I’ll bet you could reflect on this past year and come up with numerous bold moments and bold actions. 

Bold action doesn’t need to be epic. You don’t need to climb mountains, run for president, travel around the world or learn three languages. Those things are amazing but there’s more to life than fun, adventure and completing big goals.

When you become aware of how many times you've overcome small fears it leads to moving through bigger fears. Eventually you’ll not only see yourself as a strong and brave person, you’ll grow beyond what you once thought was impossible.

Each bold act counts:  

  • When you invest your time in a cause that you believe in.

  • When you make amends to someone you love.

  • When you empower yourself by keeping promises. 

  • When you walk away from an argument.

It takes a bold person to act with integrity when everyone else seems to be breaking the rules. Remember: these small acts take courage and confidence. You have done them a million times.

It’s time to own your firepower, commitment and boldness. Give yourself credit. Honor and celebrate who you are and what you have done thus far.

I'm sure you have gotten through some difficult times and events. I'm sure you have done wonderful things for others. I’m sure there have been countless times when you wanted to quit but didn’t.

These things make you brave. They make you bold! 

Use the following to build your courage muscles and become stronger. 

1. Stop complaining. Rethink your problems. Most of our issues are only minor inconveniences that we exaggerate.

2. Change. If you don’t like something change it. Problems that are ignored continue to grow. Take one small step.

3. Don’t judge. Recognize your projections. Your issues are never about someone else. If you spot it, you got it.

4. Motivate yourself. My exercise routine has been slipping. I decided to shake things up and run longer distances. I’m entering races again.

5. Hire professional help. Life is too short to stay stuck. Reach out for help. We’re here to do great things. There is no time to waste. Hire a therapist. Call a coach.

6. Rewrite your stories. Let the past go. Let your fear go. Create a positive story about your future. Make it exciting and beautiful.

7. Laugh at your fear. Shrink it in your mind. Tell it you’ll get back to it the second Tuesday of next week. Proceed forward.

8. Let go of suffering. Don’t take things personally. What other people do is about them. How you react is about you.

9. Make a choice to be kind and loving. Be patient. Learn to listen. Compliment others. Make deliberate, loving choices. 

10. Keep your promises. Write down what you promise others. Keep your word.

11. Converse face-to-face. Forget email, texting, or calling. Relationships are so much richer when you spend physical time together. Hugs, kisses, touch…all priceless.

12. Get over yourself. Learn to apologize. When you’re wrong, admit it. Let go of the need to be right.

13. Be generous. Leave big tips. Pay for the person standing in line behind you. Begin today, especially if you think you don't have enough. 

14. Give yourself permission to fail. Learn from what went wrong and regroup. Do more research. Keep trying. Most people give up too quickly.

15. Go the extra mile. It’s an excellent way to stand out from the crowd.

16. Uplift others when they are down. Be compassionate. Take a walk in somebody else's shoes.

17. Express yourself. Risk rejection. Say "I love you” and “I appreciate you,” more often.

18. Create a morning routine. Pray, meditate, journal and exercise. Find what fits for you. This one thing will change your mood, attitude and life over time. That’s big.

19. Give up the blame game. You are where you are, doing what you’re doing because of your past choices. You feel what you feel and have what you have because of your choices.

20. Give up the pity pot. Life isn’t fair and everyone experiences tragedy and difficulties. Everyone has lessons to learn and changes to make. Don't complain. Do something about your problems. Learn to live with a grateful heart. You’re blessed.

I see you. I see your potential. I see your beauty and light. I appreciate the bold and courageous actions you take every day. I believe in you. Thank you for being part of The Bold Life community. Have a great week!

You can leave your thoughts in the comment section if you wish. 

I would love it if you would spread the love on Facebook and Twitter! 

{ 28 comments… add one }

  • Sebastian October 13, 2013, 9:04 pm

    My best days are the ones in which I wake up, clean my room, prepare my tea and meditate for 30 more minutes. I’ll also visualize the perfect day for a 5 minutes or so.

    Reply
    • Tess October 14, 2013, 7:23 pm

      Sebastian,
      That’s an awesome routine. Thanks for sharing with us. I appreciate your support and what you add to the world!

      Reply
  • Sandra Pawula October 13, 2013, 11:40 pm

    This is so important, Tess! To remember all our small bold steps – that will truly encourage us. I like this so much as it’s easier to relate than epic acts of bold.

    Reply
    • Tess October 14, 2013, 7:22 pm

      Sandra,
      For me it’s my ego that wants to do epic things. I don’t thing epic things are wrong. Certainly not. It’s just we do so much good and bold that we never give ourselves credit for. The more small bold steps we take the bolder we become and that may lead to something epic. xo

      Reply
  • David Stevens October 14, 2013, 2:21 pm

    Hi Tess,
    ”Express Yourself” ….. You and I are definitely on the same wavelength with this one

    Be good to yourself
    David

    Reply
    • Tess October 14, 2013, 7:20 pm

      Hey David,
      Thanks for your input. I like being on the same page with you;)

      Reply
  • Cathy Taughinbaugh October 14, 2013, 2:39 pm

    Love your list, Tess. Creating a morning routine is what I’m working on now. It definitely makes a difference! Take care and thanks for the great post!

    Reply
    • Tess October 14, 2013, 7:20 pm

      Cathy,
      My morning routine never fails me. Never. You’ll discover the same.
      xo

      Reply
  • Jessica October 15, 2013, 9:14 am

    Love this! Some of these take incredible courage!

    Reply
    • Tess October 15, 2013, 11:08 am

      Jessica,
      You are so right! But we don’t give ourselves credit for them when we do them. So pat yourself on the back and celebrate as you do.

      Reply
  • Angela Artemis|Powered by Intuition October 15, 2013, 1:14 pm

    Tess,
    Great post!
    How the heck do you do it? Just when I think I’ve gone BOLD – you show me 20 more ways to be bolder. I’m going for the bold!
    Thank you dear friend.
    Angela

    Reply
  • Susan Gregg October 15, 2013, 1:44 pm

    Tess what a great list of things to do. I remember many years ago when someone told me to give up the pity party. I was furious, “Who did she think she was!” I did and life has never been the same since. There are times I get all revved up to climb up on the pity pot and usually I laugh and get on with doing something that works instead.

    Thanks for all you do

    Reply
    • Tess October 21, 2013, 6:24 am

      Susan,

      Yes and those teachers are our best motivators. For me it was my brother-in-law Paul. He told me I was crazy and needed help. Ha! Thank God I got mad enough to get even, see a therapist and change my ways.

      Reply
  • Elle October 15, 2013, 5:29 pm

    Great post Tess – love your steps towards greater courage.

    Reply
  • Pangeline Edwards October 17, 2013, 5:04 am

    Thank you Tess. One can never get enough action steps for becoming courageous. Great post.

    Reply
  • Gavriel October 17, 2013, 9:45 am

    What a great post, thank you so much :) I often forget that when I see something in others I don’t like, I am just seeing what’s actually in me and hating myself. Thank you for the reminder, I am really trying to become a kinder, less judgmental person.

    Funnily, I decided several days ago I would try to stop complaining. It is a behavior so ingrained, but the benefits of changing this habit I can see are enormous.

    Reply
    • Tess October 21, 2013, 6:23 am

      Keep going!Not complaining is life changing! Congrats to you:)

      Reply
  • Larry Hochman October 17, 2013, 3:04 pm

    There is absolutely NO getting around the fact that days that start with altering the conscious mind (meditation, prayer, etc) are better, stronger happier days. I love this list, Tess. :)

    Reply
    • Sara October 20, 2013, 10:38 am

      Very true Larry! I read your comment after I wrote mine, and I absolutely agree!
      This is when your conscious mind is fresh so it’s best to feed it the right spiritual nutrition that will help you grow as an individual and help you feel happy even in times where people feel struck in depression.

      Reply
  • Maxwell Ivey October 19, 2013, 8:04 pm

    Hello; There are a lot of great suggestions here. To me the most important one is asking for help. On the back of my business card it says never be afraid to ask for help because if you don’t ask they can’t say yes. I struggled with my weight for years before finally getting help first with a prescription from my doctor and later surgery. But I had a lot of help even then from their dietician, nutricianist, psychologist, etc. I also got a lot of support from my friends and family including my online family at face book, twitter, and linked in. I’ve lost over 240 pounds and am starting to get out more. My business has grown, and I am looking forward to traveling more. I have faith that I can overcome anything with prayer hard work and a little help from my friends. Thanks for the post and take care, Max

    Reply
    • Tess October 21, 2013, 6:21 am

      Holy smokes! What an awesome story. The rest of your life will be the best of your life because of the action you’ve taken.

      Reply
  • richmiraclefiles October 20, 2013, 2:39 am

    Hi Tess,
    I would like to add that one one of the largest indicators of your “courage muscles” is how you handle change in life.
    I would Say…It is good to expand your vision instead of cowering in fear and trying to escape change every time it comes your way.Had change been something to shun, then we might have all stayed as the embryo in the womb.Why would mothers even bother to undergo the changes related to pregnancy and the inevitable birthing pains?Nothing in nature stays still.Nothing whatsoever.Change will,and must happen for growth to follow.
    Thanks
    Mona

    Reply
    • Tess October 21, 2013, 6:19 am

      Good point Mona! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  • Sara October 20, 2013, 10:34 am

    My perfect day is when I wake up at 5am, shower, do yoga and meditate and read a book about the mind and cosmic topics. That’s what makes me feel whole and connected to the world, that’s what makes me centred and grounded in my being, this is what allows me to be the person that I want to be.
    I have to thank you for what you published. It’s greatly needed in my life after I have had some major setbacks and I’ve pushed people away.
    It means a lot to have people like you in this world who believe in those who struggle to believe in themselves. Namaste.

    Reply
  • Tess October 21, 2013, 3:40 am

    I should be really a Bold one but I am afraid to move from my comfort zone.
    I hold this great power to help people and really make lots thousands of miracles.
    I am addicted to internet that is why I cannot move. This is really a very distressful sight of me. I do have the great solution in me to make the correct moves. I get so lazy that I do not take any actions. I am so stubborn person indeed. It really is very annoying even to myself. I want to change but I cann´t. I keep on doing the same stuff over and over again.

    Reply
    • Tess October 21, 2013, 6:19 am

      Hi Tess,
      If you’re addicted to the internet you need help. It won’t go away. You’re worthy of a full and wonderful life. Know that you can claim it. Check this out and I’m sure there’s plenty of opportunities on and offline for support groups. Just be careful on what you buy. There are people preying on addicts and desperate people. Support groups are free.

      Reply
  • Linda Shumate October 21, 2013, 9:21 am

    Thank you Tess for that beautiful post “How To Be Brave” I liked it so well I am going to make a poster from it for my wall !!! My morning routine starts with waking up to my beautiful dogs and taking them outside. Then I feed the puppy, make my tea and sit down with my computer. Then its breakfast time for the rest of us and whatever the day brings.

    Reply
  • Aware October 25, 2013, 1:20 pm

    So practical, thank you. I would also add: face your fears, identify them, feel them, accept them, walk through them. Do small changes or steps (Kaizen) – this will empower you more and more.

    Reply

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