Tweet

Fear vs. Courage

Guest post by: Danny Cox

Article Overview: Fear has no strength of its own only that which we choose to give it. How is this strength passed on to fear? By re-directing our focus from our courage to our fear. That’s when the deflated fear, laying in a dark corner somewhere in the back of our mind, starts a full inflation so it can step into the bright spotlight at center stage.

Fear vs. Courage







"Once when Marshall Ney was going into battle, looking down at his knees

which were smiting together, he said, 'You may well shake; you would shake

worse yet if you knew where I am going to take you.'"

Orison Swett Marden

What or who builds self-imposed barriers? A stonemason named Fear, one who is highly skilled in building powerful barriers from nonexistent stones. Where does this craftsman live? In our minds. He's always there, but it's up to us whether he lives in the back of our minds or the front of our minds.

Fear is the sworn enemy of adventure, which is perhaps the most exhilarating force driving no-limits achievement. And Fear goes exactly where we tell him to go.

We move Fear from the back of our minds to the front of our minds by shifting our concentration away from our own courage, and choosing instead to focus on that which frightens us. Not only does that action change Fear's location, but through the process of concentration, it means we actually start to strengthen Fear. Fear has no strength of its own; its only strength is that which we choose to give it.

When Fear defeats us, it does so because of our own mental focus. And unfortunately, the strength we pass along to Fear is the very strength we need to overcome it! If, on the other hand, we choose to push our goals, wrapped in courage, to the forefront of our minds, then barriers break.

You already possess sufficient courage to initiate this process and see your personal adventure through. A person may not be born with an overabundance of talent, but he or she will certainly possess all the courage needed, whether used or unused, to develop the talent that is there. Long after passing on to the next world, we will be remembered by family and friends, not necessarily for our inborn talents, but for the amount of courage we used, especially during our times of trial. The strength and vividness of the memories our loved ones and friends hold of us after we are gone will be directly proportional to the amount of courage we have chosen to use.

Immediate Action: Starve your fear! Feed your courage! Embrace your adventure!

Point to Ponder: "Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there." (From above the fireplace at Hinds' Head Hotel, near London.)

Related Articles
  Courage
  Do you have the Courage to ASK?
  Six Characteristics of Leaders
  When Fear Holds You Back
  Fear, Courage and Success
  Question of the Day: What will you do with your failure?
  The 3 C's of Getting Your Foot in the Door of a Prospect
  What Would You Do If You Had No Fear?
  What is your DNA of leadership?
  How to Overcome the Ghost Fears of Owning a Business Opportunity
  How Can We Build Courage In Our Lives?
  Act In Spite of Fear
  Courage and Charisma
  The two things that kill marketing creativity
  Succesful Living Part 4 - Overcoming FEAR
  Is Fear Stopping You from Moving Forward?
  Building Personal Courage and Resilience
  How to deal with Overwhelm
  The Reality of Self-Employment
  Are You Stepping Into Growth?

Article Tags: adventure, against odds, bravery, concentration, courage, fear, initiative, legacy, personal barriers



Related Forum Posts
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Courage
Re: Ladies Who Launch Profiles - What a truly amazing lady! Thanks for posting this ideasuniverity, it had me hooked from beginning to end and then I had to go and look at the website. The words "Courage is not a gift, courage is a decision" really make you think. Take care, Carol
Re: Fear of Success - You don't need to fear success. We should embrace it. Fear is define by a man of God as False Evidence Appearing Real. the meaning is what we fear most does'nt come to pass
Other Great Books... - Feel The Fear And Do It AnyWay - Susan Jeffers How To Stop Worrying And Do It Anyway - Dale Carnegie ('What's the worst that could happen - the worst?' Then prepare yourself for that and reality is such a relief!).
Re: What I'm reading this weekend - Oct 8, 2010 - these are great! In particular, I liked "you’re already perfect" and "Smashing through the Black Wall of Fear." That's exciting that there is a new 4-hour book out. I really enjoyed "The 4 hour Workweek."


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Environment and productivity at the office

African Technology Development

The Death of the Sales Magazine

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.