8 small actions that will make you feel braver every day

From the Personal Branding Blog

Some days, the world can feel like a daunting place. We all have those moments where we wish we were just a bit braver.

But bravery isn’t built in a day. It’s about taking small steps every day and gradually pushing your comfort zone.

There are small actions that can help you cultivate this courage, and I’m here to share them with you.

So, let’s dive into “8 small actions that will make you feel braver every day”. These are simple, easy-to-follow actions that can make a big difference in your life.

1) Start your day with affirmation

Have you ever tried starting your day with a positive affirmation? It might seem like a small, almost insignificant action, but don’t be fooled.

Affirmations are powerful. They’re all about setting intentions and shifting your mindset.

When you wake up and tell yourself “I am brave. I can handle whatever comes my way today”, you’re not just saying words. You’re setting the tone for your entire day.

Instead of stepping into your day with fear or anxiety, you’re stepping into it with courage and confidence. You’re telling yourself – and the universe – that you are brave, that you are capable.

This small action has a ripple effect. It changes how you approach challenges, how you interact with others, and ultimately, how you feel about yourself.

So don’t underestimate the power of starting your day with a positive affirmation. It’s a small action that can make you feel braver every day. And remember, bravery isn’t about having no fear – it’s about facing those fears head on.

2) Do something that scares you

Now, this might sound a bit intense, but let me explain.

Doing something that scares you doesn’t mean you have to go skydiving or wrestle with sharks. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone in small, manageable ways.

For instance, I used to be terrified of public speaking. The mere thought of it would make my palms sweaty and my heart pound. But I knew that in order to grow and feel braver, I had to face this fear.

So, I started small. At first, I volunteered to present a topic in a team meeting at work. Then, I signed up for a local Toastmasters club. Gradually, I built up my confidence and now, while it still makes me a bit nervous, I can confidently speak in public.

The point here is not to eliminate fear but to learn how to navigate through it. Every time you do something that scares you, you’re building your bravery muscle. And just like any other muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.

3) Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, aware of your surroundings, your thoughts, and your feelings. It’s about accepting these thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Practicing mindfulness can do more than just reduce stress and improve mental clarity. According to a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research, mindfulness meditation can actually change the structure of your brain, increasing areas associated with emotional regulation and self-control.

By practicing mindfulness, you’re not just calming your mind – you’re physically changing your brain to better handle stress and fear. This can help you feel braver, giving you the mental tools needed to face challenges head-on instead of avoiding them.

You can practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing and observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

4) Surround yourself with brave people

You’ve probably heard the saying, “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. There’s a lot of truth to this. Our environment and the company we keep can significantly influence our thoughts and behavior.

If you surround yourself with brave, confident people who aren’t afraid to take risks and step out of their comfort zones, you’ll find their courage rubbing off on you. Their attitudes, their actions, and their words can inspire you to be braver.

Start by seeking out friends, mentors, or role models who embody the courage you aspire to. Spend time with them, learn from them, and let their bravery inspire your own. This doesn’t mean you should blindly follow what they do, but use their examples as a source of inspiration and motivation to be braver in your own life.

Remember, bravery is contagious. By surrounding yourself with brave people, you’re setting yourself up to catch some of that courage.

5) Write a bravery letter to yourself

This is an exercise that requires a little bit of time and quiet reflection, but it’s definitely worth it.

Think about a time when you were brave. Maybe it was standing up in a meeting to share your idea, or maybe it was moving to a new city where you didn’t know anyone.

Now, write a letter to yourself about that experience. Write about how you felt before, during, and after. Acknowledge the fear you felt and how you pushed through it. Applaud your courage and strength.

This letter will serve as a tangible reminder of your bravery. On days when you’re feeling less than courageous, take out this letter and read it. Let it remind you of your strength, your resilience, and your ability to face fear.

This small action can help reinforce your self-belief, reminding you that you have been brave in the past and can be brave again. It’s a small but powerful way to boost your courage every day.

6) Adopt a power pose

Body language speaks volumes. It not only communicates to others but also sends powerful messages to ourselves.

There’s a pose that I often adopt when I’m feeling a bit low on courage: the power pose. You might have heard about it; it’s standing tall, hands on hips, chest open – think of Superman or Wonder Woman.

Whenever I have to do something that requires bravery – whether it’s entering a tough negotiation or giving a speech – I take a moment to adopt this pose. It might sound silly, but it does wonders for my confidence.

According to research by Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy, adopting a power pose can actually increase your testosterone levels (the hormone linked with power and dominance) and decrease your cortisol levels (the stress hormone), making you feel more confident and less anxious.

So next time you need a quick bravery boost, try adopting a power pose. Stand tall and mighty, even if you don’t feel that way initially. You might be surprised at how this small action can change your mindset and make you feel braver.

7) Celebrate your small victories

Often, we’re so focused on the big, challenging tasks that we forget to acknowledge the smaller ones. But every step you take, no matter how small, is a step towards bravery.

Did you speak up in a meeting today? Did you stand up for yourself or someone else? Did you try something new? These are all victories and deserve to be celebrated.

Acknowledging these small victories is important because it reinforces the behavior. It tells your brain, “Hey, I did something brave today and nothing terrible happened. I can do this again.”

So, make it a habit to celebrate your small victories. Write them down in a journal, share them with a friend or just give yourself a mental high-five. This small action can boost your confidence and make you feel braver every day.

8) Trust yourself

At the end of the day, the most important factor in feeling braver is trust – trust in yourself. Trust in your abilities, trust in your judgment, trust in your strength and resilience.

Trust that you can handle whatever comes your way. Trust that even if you fall, you have the strength to get back up. Trust that you are braver than you think.

This trust won’t come overnight. It’s built day by day, through small actions and victories. But once you have it, it becomes a powerful force that fuels your courage and helps you face any challenge with bravery.

So believe in yourself. Trust yourself. You are braver than you think.

Final thoughts: Bravery is a journey

In the pursuit of bravery, it’s important to remember that it’s not a destination, but a journey. It’s not about being fearless, but about acknowledging your fears and choosing to move forward despite them.

As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Bravery is not born from a lack of fear. It comes from the decision to face those fears and push through them.

Each small action you take, each step you make outside of your comfort zone, each time you choose to stand up and be heard – that’s bravery. These small actions compound over time to create a stronger, braver you.

So remember, it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable. That’s where growth happens. Each time you feel that fear and do it anyway, you’re becoming a little bit braver.

And most importantly, trust in yourself. You are capable of more than you know. You are braver than you think.

Bravery is a journey. And every single day, with each small action, you’re taking another step on that journey.

The post 8 small actions that will make you feel braver every day appeared first on Personal Branding Blog.

Source: https://personalbrandingblog.com/8-small-actions-that-will-make-you-feel-braver-every-day/