Courage and Confidence

“There I hang. The thought crosses my mind, how on earth do I get away from here? I’m plastered against a thick rock like some sort of starfish. My legs and arms can’t stretch any wider. It whirls through my mind. Why did I let myself be persuaded to do this via ferrata? Why choose the hardest route and simply say ‘yes’ without thinking? I look down, there flows the Durance. A tremendous depth below me, I feel the tension throughout my body. A magnificent gorge, AWESOME, but not right now. I’m on the verge of panicking, but my thoughts assist me. I won’t end up down there because, at least, I am securely attached to the thick steel cable. A small sense of relief passes through my body. I am strong enough. And if things go wrong… well, then I’ll just dangle here. No idea how to get away then. But staying here for the rest of my life is not an option. I gather all my courage and… take the next step, away from the rock…”

Courage and Confidence, How Do You Get These?

I sometimes hear: ‘That requires a lot of courage, do you dare to do all that?’ That’s about small things like travelling alone to more thrilling activities like what I did with my team, climbing a ‘black’ via ferrata route without any experience. Courage and confidence help me to do things that are quite exciting or with which I have no experience at all.

Then, I am operating outside my own comfort zone, and this helps me to grow and develop in many different areas. This makes it possible for me to achieve my goals, such as reaching the end of a via ferrata route. Growth only happens when you do those things within your core values, in my case, for example, adventure, and outside your comfort zone.

I love adventure and challenge and am always open to something new. I had once made a small climb in a climbing gym. The via ferrata was clearly outside my comfort zone, but still within my core value. Sitting on that rock, you learn, you progress, and you are engaged in a development that suits you.

Outside Your Comfort Zone

Now, I increasingly do things that fit me and contribute to my personal goals, which helps me grow more and more in confidence. With a clear goal in mind, special powers arise within you. Extra adrenaline, energy, and courage are needed to continue. This makes obstacles much less of a problem. I do encounter my fears and insecurities. But courage and confidence help me to do what is necessary to get moving.

Courage helps to make fear disappear and transform it into determination. A characteristic of courage is that when you are courageous, you are also vulnerable. And being vulnerable means that you are fully engaged in life. Courage also ensures that you face opposition with full confidence and that you are not tempted to give up. You learn to persevere. Something that was really needed when I was hanging on top of the rock, taking the next step.

How Can You Be Courageous?

You can do this by playing with it and practicing. Do you also want to take the next step and gain more courage and confidence? Then try the free ‘out of your comfort zone challenge’. A fun exercise that you can do yourself. If you want to delve deeper into this topic, make an appointment with Pauline or join us on the Touch of Flow journey.