In the movies, bravery and courage is depicted — typically — in slow motion. You know, the hero (picture: Bruce Willis) emerging triumphantly from a burning building. His face is smudged with smoke and his gait is confident, slow, determined. He’s carrying a rescued somebody out of the fire — just. in. time.
In fact, let’s be honest. That’s how it (bravery, courage) looks when ANYONE — other than ourselves — is thought to be brave or courageous. We see the triumphant rescue, the bold move, the courageous stand. And from the outside, we know what bravery looks like.
Which is why WHEN WE’RE THE ONES needing to be brave, confident, courageous… it feels confusing. What EXACTLY does bravery FEEL LIKE in business?
It feels like this guy. =) Night sweats. Anxiety. Self-talks. “What if” conversations you must force yourself to exit before they get the best of you. Bravery and Courage in business can show up as FEAR and scary moments. It often does.
So don’t be discouraged by this. Don’t think it MEANS anything about you as an entrepreneur or about your business. This isn’t the movies. This isn’t a story where you know the ending already.
EVERY brave and courageous act — you know, like being in business for yourself — is yet unproven and never comes with a guarantee, but is accompanied by plenty of doubt and hesitation and “what ifs.” It just means you’re on the cusp of something GREAT. Keep going.
You see, entrepreneurship REQUIRES bravery. Success DEMANDS courage. The courage to quit your job. The courage to say no. The bravery to say YES. The courage to NOT follow others your industry. The bravery to HIRE and GROW. The courage to reinvent. The bravery to seek help. The courage to come clean to a mentor or accountability group. The audacious bravery to actually BELIEVE that you can (and should) go after that dream of yours.
And this courage and bravery doesn’t FEEL heroic in the moment. It feels ugly, nervous, jittery, maybe even fearful. Be brave anyway. Our economy is counting on us. Atlas, please don’t shrug.
