{"id":206972,"date":"2020-08-25T20:41:52","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T20:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/strengthbasedliving.com\/?p=206972"},"modified":"2021-05-05T16:43:32","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T16:43:32","slug":"act-courageously","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/putting-strengths-into-action\/act-courageously\/","title":{"rendered":"Act Courageously"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p>Courage helps us choose new pathways during times of stress and difficulty. These days, we need courage to complete even the most basic\u00a0tasks, like sending\u00a0the kids to school or shopping for groceries,\u00a0because they carry higher risks than before.<\/p>\n<p>There are many ways to demonstrate everyday courage. You can stand up for yourself. Take\u00a0a step in a new direction.\u00a0Give a voice to the voiceless. The benefits of doing so are often memorable. When you act courageously, you might inspire\u00a0others, feel a sense of accomplishment, or advance a meaningful endeavor.<\/p>\n<p>In the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/pdf\/StrengthsbyVirtue2020.pdf\">scientific character strengths and virtues framework<\/a>, there are four strengths that can expand your\u00a0capacity to act more courageously each day. They include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/bravery\">Bravery<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/perseverance\">Perseverance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/honesty\">Honesty<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/zest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Deliberately engaging these strengths can be especially helpful when you feel discouraged, lack confidence, or don\u2019t know what to do next. The practice below will help you identify a difficult situation and apply one of these strengths to help you move forward.<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\" style=\"margin-top:25px;margin-bottom:25px;\"><img width=\"889\" height=\"200\" title=\"blog6b\" src=\"http:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-207106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b-200x45.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b-400x90.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b-600x135.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b-800x180.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/blog6b.jpg 889w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 889px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><h4>The Inspiration<\/h4>\n<p>Courage typically begins with fear or anxiety, but a courageous person recognizes that getting to the other side is worth the risks. They do feel the fear, but it doesn\u2019t prevent them from taking action.<\/p>\n<p>Many of us think we\u2019re either born courageous or not, but courage can be developed. Check out each of the strengths below to see how.<\/p>\n<h4>Bravery<\/h4>\n<p>Courage\u00a0is an\u00a0approach to life, but\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/bravery\">bravery<\/a>\u00a0is about taking action. Brave actions can help you overcome fears like opening up in relationships, shifting away from work that feels stagnant, and accomplishing other daunting goals.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, one of my coaching clients is creating an aspirational vision of her work and life. Like many of us, she can easily identify what she wants less of but struggles to imagine what she wants more of.\u00a0She was concerned that difficulties in past relationships or situations might repeat and thwart\u00a0her efforts to move forward.<\/p>\n<p>A turning point in our work was when she was able to admit that she deserved the life she envisioned. Facing a feeling of unworthiness was possibly one of the bravest moments I\u2019ve seen lately. It allows her to genuinely believe\u00a0that her vision is possible to achieve. This, in turn, energizes her to keep going and feel confident she can navigate concerns that arise.<\/p>\n<p><em>What brave action might you consider taking right now?<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Perseverance<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/perseverance\">Perseverance<\/a>\u00a0is about finishing what you started, even when things get difficult or you feel like giving up. Persistent people tend to be dependable and trustworthy. They are the \u201cgo-to\u201d people for getting things done. They build skills, resources, confidence, and achievements along the way.<\/p>\n<p>As with many people in the general population, perseverance is one of my lowest strengths. It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t have it, just that I need to work at it. For instance, when I was writing my book\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/30-Days-Character-Strengths-Practice\/dp\/0692102590\/ref\">30 Days of Character Strengths: A Guided Practice to Ignite Your Best<\/a>\u00a0the thought of giving up crossed my mind many times.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, I blocked out short periods\u00a0of time in my daily schedule to establish a writing habit. I wrote most,\u00a0but not all, days. It took a while, but I stuck with it. It wasn\u2019t a perfect practice, but I was striving to finish my book, not have a perfect practice. Seeing my progress each week motivated me to continue.<\/p>\n<p>My book is now published because I persevered. People\u00a0around the world are now applying their character strengths in new ways in their personal and professional lives.<\/p>\n<p><em>What helps you get things done when you feel like giving up?<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Honesty<\/h4>\n<p>Honesty is about truth and authenticity. Honest people act with integrity and own up to their feelings and actions to gain control of their lives. Honesty builds close relationships.<\/p>\n<p>Another coaching client engaged honesty to own up to the unfair or unkind ways she treats herself, even as she is known for her kindness to others. This underuse of kindness to herself sapped\u00a0her energy and kept her stuck in patterns that didn\u2019t serve her well. This insight was eye-opening to her.<\/p>\n<p>Ironically, kindness is one of her signature strengths. She has strong personal and professional relationships because of this kindness. She wanted to be kinder to herself, but it seemed selfish to do that. Being kind to herself became an act of bravery, one that she now allows herself regularly. As a result, she feels more confident and in control.<\/p>\n<p><em>When does a lack of honesty hold you back in relationships or within yourself?<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Zest<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viacharacter.org\/character-strengths\/zest\">Zest<\/a>\u00a0is the vital energy and enthusiasm needed to get through stressful times. Zest allows you to live into your aspirations and provide the energy to step up or persist at something harder and longer. It is also linked with more happiness.<\/p>\n<p>I love being around zesty people. They know how to make life engaging and meaningful for themselves and those around them. Their positive energy is contagious. One of the zestiest people I know is a caring mental health provider, a brilliant teacher, and an engaged parent and grandparent. Her zesty living inspires others to live more fully as they see her expressing all parts of herself.<\/p>\n<p><em>When does zest help you create positive outcomes?<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>The Practice<\/h4>\n<p>Where do you need to act courageously\u00a0in your life?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Think of an upcoming situation that you feel discouraged about, lack confidence in, or wish to avoid. This should be a situation in which you believe an added dose of courage could change how you approach it.<\/li>\n<li>Choose one of the courage strengths \u2013 bravery, perseverance, honesty, or zest \u2013 and identify one way to apply it as an act of courage. Perhaps acknowledging your feelings about something and elevating honesty will help get you on the right track. Perhaps it\u2019s time to stand up and be brave publicly for something you believe in.<\/li>\n<li>Put this action into play. Be sure to notice the effects and how you feel.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>The Reflection<\/h4>\n<p>When I responded to a difficult situation with courage, I noticed that _____________ and felt _______________.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps you noticed that the situation turned out much better than you thought it would, and you were elated. If not, perhaps you noticed why it didn\u2019t or what you could do differently next time.<\/p>\n<p>Feel free to journal about this reflection, letting your thoughts flow freely and without judgment. Or talk it through with someone you trust.<\/p>\n<p>May you go forward courageously,<br \/>\nJane<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":207105,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[72],"tags":[46],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206972"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=206972"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207343,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206972\/revisions\/207343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/207105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=206972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=206972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}