Category Archives: Courage

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”

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“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”

– Mary Anne Radmacher, writer and artist

I love to go to the movies. One of my favorite types are adventure movies – you know, the kind when the hero or heroine summons the courage to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds to reach their goal, get the girl, or achieve some other form of victory. We all love a good story.

Radmacher’s quote touches home for me in that most of us live much quieter, less adventurous lives, where we summon the courage daily to do our best to contribute and serve others at home and at work.

Exercise:

Consider how often, at the end of your day, you feel the satisfaction of knowing that you did what you could with what you had, where you were – knowing and hoping that you could do it again tomorrow.

Capture your thoughts and feelings in a journal or with others.

A Quote From Rumi – 13th Century Persian poet

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“Keep knocking and the joy inside will eventually open a window and look out to see who’s there. These promptings will lead you in certain directions – they’re the voices of your heart guiding you in the direction of your destiny. Have the courage to stand in the mystery of your life, and you’ll be advancing nicely along your path.”

– Rumi, 13th Century Persian poet

This summer, my daughter Rachel began her fifth year working for the Southwestern company. My understanding is that she and approximately 3,000 college students and young adults participate in this unique profession that few have ever experienced.

Their role is to sell books “door-to-door” over a 12-week interval. These extraordinary young people work six days each week, often for 14 hours per day.

Talk about knocking and prompting! My wife and I are often dumbfounded at the tenacity it must take to do such a job, literally rain or shine. The result for Rachel has been a phenomenal growth in development – she’s now a confidence, charismatic young woman who can relate to almost anyone.

Exercise:

Where do you need to summon greater courage and take greater initiative to knock on life’s doors and advance boldly along your path?

Forget to be Afraid

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“Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.”

–Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the USA

Image from Pinterest

My journey into the coaching profession is definitely an example of getting so wrapped up in something I almost forgot to be afraid.

At the ripe old age of 35, I threw caution to the wind and left a 12-year career with a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company to sign up for the job of “coach” with:

1. No salary (You ate what you killed!)
2. No benefits
3. No coaching clients
4. No general agreement about or awareness of the profession – it was truly in its infancy
5. A wife and two young children, plus a considerable mortgage
6. Modest savings, with about 6 months of living expenses

In spite of these factors, I found myself enthusiastic and excited to partner with people and help them achieve breakthroughs in their personal and professional life – just as Olympic athletes work with coaches to achieve their full potential.

Exercise:

What can you be so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid?