Courage can seem like such a big thing to find and often at the toughest times. To help you find your feet here’s my solution to finding the courage to do anything.
So here’s where it all started
I was always so terrified of snorkelling. Thinking right back to when the fear started, I was in Mexico and just got chucked off a speed boat into the grey coral. Having never done it before, I didn’t know to adjust my mask so it was tight and my face was flooded with water. I so desperately wanted to enjoy snorkelling I had heard about how beautiful it was, but I was left crying off of the coast of Mexico.
Getting more courageous…
A few years later Chris (my partner) and I headed to St Kitts. Immediately the minute I got in the water I was overcome with panic. Slowly he showed me how to do it properly and to just stay where I felt comfortable. I followed him for the most part. I was slow and kept coming up for air and was paralysed when a massive sting ray swam by and then definitely fled the sea when I saw a white and black sea snake. But, I was now hooked on seeing the bright colour of the fish and the corals and floating above them whilst they ignored me completely. However, it was always in the back of my mind how many creatures could be out to get me, so I also wouldn’t put my feet down so I wouldn’t get stung by rays!!
A bit of a set back
Fast forward 1 year. Chris and I found ourselves waiting to board a little boat out to snorkel and dive off of the coast of Cambodia. Let me tell you folks it was damned awful. The owners of the boat only cared about the divers so when Chris and I jumped off they weren’t bothered at all about keeping the boat near us. We were in deep water, it was grey, there were big waves and I freaked out. What if a shark came out of the grey and got me and what if I was dragged off into the unknown by the choppy water? I have a lovely scar on my knee from where I cut it open hastily climbing back on the boat.
That 12 hours we were out at sea seemed to go on forever. The only saving grace was that we did manage to go and see the little islands which were pristine!
Back to being courageous
18 months went by before I snorkelled again. This time I was in Maui, Hawaii and omgosh the situation was different. Again Chris and I snorkelled off of the beach and again I let him go first to scope it out. I would then swim around behind him, just carefully checking out the situation. It was daunting, there could be sharks and there definitely was sea snakes (I saw one!!). But day by day something magical happened, I began to get excited by the thought of going out again. Daily we were getting to swim next to turtles and huge fish and I loved it. By the end of the holiday I was getting comfortable with snorkelling more by myself.
6 months later and I’m in Rhodes and I don’t have a problem with snorkelling (maybe because I know there isn’t any sharks and Mum brought me the tightest fitting snorkel mask). Im again excited to see the bright coloured fish. I’m not scared of the odd looking fishes and I’m happy to jump in off of the rocks and go snorkel from there.
Where I am now
I haven’t yet mastered the art of diving down to the bottom and then spitting the water out. But, I am now confidently out snorkelling seeing fish and not fleeing the scene when I see something new. So I wasn’t just writing this to show off about my holidays. I had always wanted the ability to go out and snorkel. I wanted to see what there was under the surface. But, when push came to shove and I actually did it I was terrified, uncontrollably so.
I can see the change…
However, I made myself go back in and do it. Every time I’ve tried again it’s been sort of easier. I had set backs where I was terrified for a whole load of new reasons but now I feel comfortable and have the courage to be in the water with my snorkel on.
How to find the Courage to do ANYTHING
I know this wasn’t a property related story, but it’s the perfect example of courage growing (and something which has been a really big part of my life this week).
Having a goal is the fist step and going out and doing is the second.
You don’t need to feel happy doing the thing you want to do first time, nor second time, third time. You could feel extremely terrified. However to build courage you just have to go out there and try. Every time it will get that little little bit easier. Eventually, after lots of attempts and much practice, that thing you were once scared of will be that thing you find fun and pretty easy.
So what’s that thing you’ve always wanted to do, but are super scared of? Why not just go out and give it one tiny go!
NC
P.S this one was for all you investors and entrepreneurs who are not he brink of changing the world, but just need that one little push. You will be great I know it. If you need anymore help and support then go and check out more blog posts on the subject here.
