3 Ways How To Cultivate Courage and Lean Into Uncertainty

Courage is a byproduct of any change in your life because it requires you to enter the territory of the unknown. 

Anything new and unfamiliar to your brain represents danger and requires courage. Often, it is not that you can’t make a change but rather, the mental chaos when you attempt to make it that stops you or keeps you stuck. 

Therefore it’s not necessarily the fear you have to face but your mind and your perception of what change represents. 

Finding the courage to lean into uncertainty and take the step you contemplated for so long is one of the most empowering and freeing feelings you can have. It makes you feel alive and promotes self-respect. 

But before you go all Rocky Balboa on this situation, you want to mentally buckle up, understand the challenges you may face, and then have tools in place when fear creeps in. 

Because let’s face it. Fear is real. It isn’t an illusion like some motivational quotes try to tell you. You feel it, and if unmanaged, it will paralyze you from living the life you want.  

Here are 3 ways to find courage, lean into uncertainty, and overcome fear of the unknown. 

1. Understand the nature of your mind

Fear is a powerful emotion, and the best thing you can do is to approach it with logic. 

Here are 3 simple steps on how you can do that. First, PAUSE. When fear creeps in, stop what you are doing and say the word ‘pause.’ That’s your indication to stop the fearful thoughts in its tracks. 

Second, bring logic in and ask yourself: “Is there truly something to fear, or is this a product of mental chatter?” 

Third, close your eyes (if possible in the moment), take 3 deep breaths, and refocus back on your initial goal (that thing you want to do but are afraid to do).

Bring your vision to life and stay with it for a few moments or even minutes. You will take your mind off the fear and adjust or completely change your emotional state. 

2. Embrace courage through vulnerability 

In the words of Brene Brown, ‘There is no courage without vulnerability.’ Approaching anything new or unfamiliar will make you feel vulnerable and require you to move with courage. 

I found that when I shy away from vulnerability, I am more frustrated and dissatisfied with myself. 

Why? 

Because deep down, I know I am betraying my healing and growth for the comfort of predicting and knowing, even if it is my own misery.

Sounds familiar?  

Let’s take healing, for example. We need courage to heal ourselves because the entire process is a matter of unbecoming something we are not. We are facing off our limiting beliefs and toxic traits while redesigning who we are at our core. 

But why do all of us desire it so much? Why do we find it so important? Why are you even reading this article?

Because deep down, you know it’s the answer to your struggles. You know it is the right path for you.

Unless you find comfort in being vulnerable and embrace the courage to heal yourself and grow beyond your limits, you will never get rid of that nagging little voice telling you that there is more, that your life is worth more, and that you are simply playing it small. 

Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but am I? 

3. Prepare for the journey 

You will face challenges. Plain and simple. 

Stay away from could, would, and should, and work with what is in this moment. 

Remember that an optimist believes and hopes for the best possible scenario but understands that the path to get there isn’t linear. 

Once you get some clarity on possible challenges, ask yourself. “What is the best way to prepare for unexpected or unwanted situations?”

First, you want to distance yourself from the duality of your likes and dislikes and accept things as they come. This is crucial because it promotes balance. 

Then, you can ask yourself the following question: “What is the best next step I can take right now, and what inner and outer resources are available to me?”

Inner resources are things like meditation and breathing or doing yoga. They help you to better manage your nervous system and fearful thoughts.  

Outer resources are sessions with your therapist or a coach, reaching out to someone who can help or advise you, recreating or adjusting the plan of action, and so on. 

When I decided to go to India to heal myself, nothing about it was comfortable, let alone certain. Looking at it from the outside, it was the stupidest thing I was doing. 

But here is what I reminded myself every day (understanding that I was deeply unhappy and suffering)  

“If taking this risk isn’t going to work out, at least I know that I am choosing this discomfort and not (again) settling for something else out of fear.”

In the end, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made in my life. 

Understanding that your fear is a product of your mind and your courage fuels your healing and growth, what step will you take next that you were hesitant to take? 

I’d love to know. Feel free to share it by leaving a comment below.