Be Bold

Go ahead, you can do it. Be Bold, take the next step. Take a chance and try it or better yet do it. Sometimes these words are easier said than done. It is advice we hear all of the time and yet it is so hard to do. Why is that and what can we do?

Our hesitation to step forward stems from fear, mostly fear of failure and it is called Atychiphobia. Phobia Source defines Atychiphobia as “a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted worry of failure.” While for some people this could be a serious disorder, for most of us it is just a nagging insecurity (but at least it has a name!).

Sometimes it just feels easier to play it safe or stay in the background and let things happen, even when we know we have a better solution. Interestingly enough, Hellen Keller is quoted as saying “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.”

Being Bold is not about being a hero. You may end up being a hero, but that is an outcome not a motivation. Being Bold is about taking a prudent risk and moving forward. In fact we should not risk everything or be foolish, but after due thought and consideration take the next step and move forward.

After all what is the alternative? If we are timid and do not move forward we are going to suffer the consequences of inaction. It is better to move forward and and learn, even if our action does not succeed than to hide in the corner and watch things unfold. It is more likely that our effort will succeed than fail anyway.

For me, I have to occasionally remind myself that If I am going to lose sleep over something it is better to lose sleep over having taken action than worrying about what might happen. Better to take action than be a victim. After all, worrying and complaining does not change anything. Put that energy into change.

Often times what keeps us from Being Bold or taking action is fear of how others will judge us. But in reality, we need to recognize that there will always be skeptics and spectators that have an opinion, but they were not bold enough to take action. Ignore their criticisms, after all they did not risk anything or enact a better solution.

Here is an interesting comparison of terms. Which are likely to produce better results? Being adventurous, audacious, courageous, daring, or being afraid, cautious, cowardly, or fearful?

So how can we go about Being Bold? Here are six steps to help us along the way:

1) Be prepared – Preparation goes a long way to reduce anxiety and ensure success. Take the time to make a plan, think it through and then be ready to take the appropriate next steps. Do not move ahead until you have thought it through, but do not over think it.

2) Be confident – Now that you have a plan, have confidence in in your thinking. You are ready and most of the time your thoughts and actions lead to success.

3) Ask for what you want – If there are resources or support needed to implement your plan, ask for them. You will not succeed without this part of your plan, so lineup the things you need to be successful.

4) Take action – Now that you have a plan and the resources you need, you are ready. Move forward and put your plan in motion.

5) Learn from the outcome – Observe what happens as a result of your actions. Things may not have progressed exactly as you had expected and the results may or may not have exceeded your expectations. Take away anything from the experience that you can use in the future and let the rest of it roll off your back.

6) Celebrate your victory – Here is the great part, at the very least you learned something and more than likely your action succeeded. Either way you win. Given this measure there is no way for you to lose.

The key takeaway is that Being Bold is not about taking an unwarranted risk, but about taking action in such a way that you win no matter the outcome. It is not a knee-jerk reaction or an impulsive response but execution a well thought out (but not overthought) plan. The difference is you took action, you were bold when others were timid.

Once again, I hope this has been a valuable use of your time. I have certainly enjoyed sharing this with you and hope that it helps all of us to Be Bold.

Please feel free to tell about times you have been bold or provide other input in the comments section below. I look forward to our extended conversation.

Thanks,

Skip Gilbert