I had to ask myself (more than once), if I had the “courage to act” just prior to making a big, gutsy life change in my 50’s. It was scary because my life and future had become so FULL of uncertainty. Well…I did take action then (thank goodness!) and every time I feel overwhelmed and uncertain again, I need to go through the same inner struggle. Sound familiar?
I think many of us acquired a learned response, in childhood, to “do nothing” when things around us seemed strange and uncertain–as if by “doing nothing” things would perhaps return to a more recognizable–and comfortable–state all on their own. I remember as a child being instructed to “stay put” if I became lost or separated from my adult caregiver, with the explanation that by doing nothing I would be “found” again.
What I didn’t understand or fully appreciate as a child, was that when this actually worked, it was because someone else was taking courageous action on my behalf to solve the problem and put things back the way they “should” be. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any such person that steps in to take action for me and make the uncertainties of my adult life go away while I “do nothing.” I am on my own–and I suspect that you are as well.
When life as we know it–jobs, retirement plans, savings, business-as-usual and more–suddenly changes we can be left feeling lost and uncertain about where we are and what to do next. It is not unlike the childhood feeling of being lost. The difference now, is that we must each find the courage to step up and take decisive action in our own lives rather than “do nothing” in the hopes that someone else is going “find” us and put the world back in recognizable order for us. We need to find ourselves and take charge of our own actions.
So where do we find the courage? Good question. There is no courage without fear; so (drumroll….) look to your fear to find your courage. Think about it. If I am not afraid, then taking a decisive step does not require courage, only action. It is precisely when I am afraid that my decisions can be emboldened and activated with courage.
We each have a well of courage inside, waiting to be tapped. It is during times of uncertainty–when we feel most afraid–that courage comes into play.
If you are feeling uncertain about any aspect of your life and your future–emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, or social–then summoning the courage to take decisive action even while you feel the fear, is likely to be just what you need to find yourself.
It happened that way for me, and I’d love to hear about your experiences too. Catch my Career Change At Midlife: Courage & Fearvideo below, and don’t forget to leave a comment, share this, bookmark it, ReTweet it, and spread the word. We’re all in this together!
Career Change At Midlife: Courage & Fear
I had to ask myself (more than once), if I had the “courage to act” just prior to making a big, gutsy life change in my 50’s. It was scary because my life and future had become so FULL of uncertainty. Well…I did take action then (thank goodness!) and every time I feel overwhelmed and uncertain again, I need to go through the same inner struggle. Sound familiar?
I think many of us acquired a learned response, in childhood, to “do nothing” when things around us seemed strange and uncertain–as if by “doing nothing” things would perhaps return to a more recognizable–and comfortable–state all on their own. I remember as a child being instructed to “stay put” if I became lost or separated from my adult caregiver, with the explanation that by doing nothing I would be “found” again.
What I didn’t understand or fully appreciate as a child, was that when this actually worked, it was because someone else was taking courageous action on my behalf to solve the problem and put things back the way they “should” be. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any such person that steps in to take action for me and make the uncertainties of my adult life go away while I “do nothing.” I am on my own–and I suspect that you are as well.
When life as we know it–jobs, retirement plans, savings, business-as-usual and more–suddenly changes we can be left feeling lost and uncertain about where we are and what to do next. It is not unlike the childhood feeling of being lost. The difference now, is that we must each find the courage to step up and take decisive action in our own lives rather than “do nothing” in the hopes that someone else is going “find” us and put the world back in recognizable order for us. We need to find ourselves and take charge of our own actions.
So where do we find the courage? Good question. There is no courage without fear; so (drumroll….) look to your fear to find your courage. Think about it. If I am not afraid, then taking a decisive step does not require courage, only action. It is precisely when I am afraid that my decisions can be emboldened and activated with courage.
We each have a well of courage inside, waiting to be tapped. It is during times of uncertainty–when we feel most afraid–that courage comes into play.
If you are feeling uncertain about any aspect of your life and your future–emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, or social–then summoning the courage to take decisive action even while you feel the fear, is likely to be just what you need to find yourself.
It happened that way for me, and I’d love to hear about your experiences too. Catch my Career Change At Midlife: Courage & Fearvideo below, and don’t forget to leave a comment, share this, bookmark it, ReTweet it, and spread the word. We’re all in this together!
Courageously yours,