8 Important Ways to Be More Brave in Your Everyday Life

Like it or not, fear can be a useful emotion. It exists to protect us from potential threats and makes us cautious in new or unfamiliar situations. On the flip side, that fear response can prevent us from trying new things or pursuing opportunities that might allow us to thrive. Instead of feeling safe, you feel stuck.

If you feel like fear is holding you back—particularly in low-risk and mundane situations—it may be time to start overcoming what scares you. Taking small steps to be braver every day can help put you on the path to what you desire, and we have some advice for getting started.

Accept and Understand Your Fear

One of the most important things to remember is that bravery isn't about being fearless, but instead acting in spite of your fear. Start by understanding that it's perfectly natural, and indeed good, to be scared sometimes, and that there's no shame in it.

From there, give your fear a name. What is it that you're scared of, and why? What risks might be associated with stepping into bravery, instead of fear, and what do you have to gain? Consider whether the fear is inspired by an actual threat to your safety, or instead something that might feel uncomfortable, embarrassing or inconvenient, and see if you can shift your attitude based on this.

Instead of beating yourself up over being scared, remember your body and mind are just trying to protect you. If it's hard to avoid negative self-talk, try to imagine those words being said to you by someone you don't respect or believe in the slightest, and laugh at how silly they sound. Breaking down the fear in a neutral, judgment-free way can help you see the issue differently and approach it with more confidence and respect for yourself.

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Also read about: According to Your Zodiac Sign, This Is Your Biggest Fear

 

See How Fear Manifests for You

Different people process their fears differently. You might refuse to go to a certain place entirely, or drum up the courage to get there, but hesitate once you arrive. Maybe you recoil at the sight or sound of certain things, or experience certain sensations in the body, from tension and an upset stomach to a rapidly beating heart, dizziness of lightheadedness.

The point is, these feelings can tell you more about your fear. Note how severe these reactions are, how long they last and if they respond differently to different types of fears. Do they lessen with repeated exposure? Does it get easier, or harder with time? Is your fear holding you back from something you want, and do you want it more than you want to avoid this temporary discomfort? Through these questions, you can shift your priorities and act meaningfully.

 

Look to Positive Examples

Overcoming your fears can also be easier when you remember that you're not alone in your quest. Even if your current struggle is something unique and individual to you, that overall journey is a tale as old as time, and the world is filled with examples—both real and fictional—to draw from. Think about friends or family who have gone after what they want, even when it scared them, or your favorite celebrity rags-to-riches story. Look to films, television and games and the courageous heroes who've always inspired you.

Lastly, look into your own past, because chances are that this isn't new for you. You've likely done many things that scared you initially, only to become highly satisfying and enriching experiences that you wouldn't trade for the world. Sit down and make a list of the times you've acted, despite your fear, and what you gained from them. You may also want to imagine yourself from an outside perspective, as if you were a character in a story. Is it easier to see yourself surmounting these obstacles from afar?

 

Also read about: Do You Have One of These Common Phobias?

 

Make It a Team Effort

Discovering your own bravery doesn't have to be a solo mission. Often, just having a friend around can give you a big confidence boost and make a situation seem way less frightening. When that's not possible, talk it out with someone you trust. Having their support can have similar effects, particularly if they can share any advice or anecdotes about their own experiences. Don't underestimate the power of connection. When someone fully believes in your ability to do something, it's going to seriously improve your ability to believe in yourself, too.

 

Be Brave for Someone Else

There are times in life when it's scary to go after for what you want, but somehow much easier to be brave on behalf of someone else. This might be something as small as letting a waiter know their order is wrong to asking their favorite celebrity if they can take a photo, or standing up for them when they've been wronged. Often, it's easier to act courageously in the face of someone else's fear especially when you think they're highly deserving of something. Reflecting on these moments can be an important step into understanding that you can act, even when you're frightened, for yourself. After all, you also are worthy of greatness.

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Try New Things

The simple act of doing and trying new things can make you more resilient and less fearful. Start with small actions, like going to unfamiliar places, or visiting a restaurant you've never been to, and work up to bigger ones like chatting with strangers that you might want to make friends. Feeling unsure about things is the entire point. Open yourself up to rejection or a little embarrassment to remind yourself that it's not a big deal when you mess up, and celebrate the victories you do experience by going out on a limb. You might even want to try setting yourself up for rejection on purpose—for example, asking complete strangers for $20—to practice getting comfortable with being told "no."

 

Also read about: 7 Ways to Add Novelty to Your Life and Break Out of a Bland Routine

 

Go After a Challenge, Even If You Might Fail

Building off of the last point, you can also start overcoming a fear by taking baby steps toward a goal you have in life. It might be something challenging or scary, but even if you don't ultimately succeed, the skills you build and the things you learn along the way will enrich your life and get you closer to want you want, anyhow. Try setting micro goals that are less to do with getting to your final destination or mastery and more with building the fundamentals. Remember that if you don't achieve your lofty ambitions on the first attempt, you can always try again—and that next time, you'll be even more prepared and capable than you were the first time around.

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Overcome Indecision

One of the ways that fear holds us back most often is with indecision. It makes to take a lot of time deliberating when it's a major choice, such as picking a college or choosing between job offers, but if fear causes constant indecision about tiny, every day things and it's getting in the way of living your life, it's time to do something about it. See what happens if you start making some snap decisions on minor things, like what to eat or where to sit today, or incorporate randomness with dice and number generators to let them pick for you. The more you can embrace this thinking, you more you'll understand these things aren't a big deal, and the less time you'll waste on fear.

 

For even more on fear, click HERE for advice on overcoming your phobias, according to an expert.