7 Unexpected Benefits of Being Brave

I’m capable of courage, but I’m also capable of making excuses. When I remember how much I’ve grown by facing intimidating situations, I’m more motivated to lean in instead of avoid.

Growth has never come from playing it safe. It comes from stepping into what feels uncomfortable and discovering I can handle it.

I also talk through how facing fear builds confidence and how to start taking courageous action in this episode of the Decide Your Legacy podcast: 

7 Unexpected Benefits of Being Brave

1. Anxiety Decreases

Notice how you feel after you do something growth-oriented, yet uncomfortable or intimidating. After you do something brave, you feel good because you pushed through your fear and survived. It's energizing to discover that you can handle whatever life brings your way.

2. Creativity in Unleashed

There's no space for creativity when your attention is focused on safety. All the energy that would go to facing things, creating, and growing goes to self-protection and self-promotion. When you say "no" to fear, your creative energy is freed up.

3. Relationships Improve

Brave people let go of trying to control other people and situations. Those driven by fear keep others at a distance so they feel safe. A need for control in relationships pushes good people away. The friendliest and most joyful people all dare to reach out and connect rather than play it safe in relationships.

4. Your Ego Shrinks

Your ego's top priority is to keep you safe. Its primary emotion is fear. The ego is all about you. The more you play it safe, the bigger your ego grows, and the more anxious you get. When you're brave, you feed your faith and starve your ego. You stop making it about you when you are courageous.

5. More Opportunities

Life is never boring for the brave. When we play it safe, we miss out on opportunities. Criticism, negativity, and arrogance - it's all fear. We criticize what we are afraid to experience as justification for not doing something where we might fail.

6. Improved Health

Your central nervous system rests after doing something brave. As we live courageously, our self-worth increases, and increased self-worth leads to improved self-care (e.g., nutrition, exercise, hydration, etc)

7. Increased Confidence

You're only courageous when you engage in something without any guarantee of it going as you hope. Your self-confidence only increases AFTER you do something you doubted you could do. As you push through fear and uncertainty consistently, you will always grow.

28 Brave Actions You Can Take

1. Call a friend you haven't connected with recently saying, a you were on my mind, how's everything going?. Leave them a voicemail if they don't answer.
2. Approach a stranger to learn about something you notice about them. For example, a Cool car, how do you like it ?. or "What do you think about that book you're reading?.
3. Ask someone with an interesting tattoo for the story behind it. I have found that people often enjoy talking about their tattoos.
4. Ask some of these 47 questions to get to know people better, to closed off and grouchy friends and family.
5. Phone a friend to share something funny that you experienced recently. (e.g., "someone at work just told me the funny joke", "you cannot believe what my dog just did," etc.)
6. Express disagreement with another person's opinion calmly without judgment. For example, I see things differently, and I'm curious how you've come to that conclusion.
7. Bring up a topic of conversation with co-workers, friends, or family during a meeting or meal. Here's a list of 50 excellent relationships building questions.
8. Use the restroom at a gas station or restaurant without buying anything. Do not wipe down the toilet seat!
9. Cook something you've never made before for friends or family.
10. Ask for help or advice from someone you know (e.g., sibling, parent, friend, etc.).
11. Reach out to someone you've never met who seems alone somewhere (e.g., an event, restaurant, church, etc.) and start a conversation. Maybe you'll make a new friend.
12. Borrow something from a neighbor, friend, or co-worker.
13. Have a garage sale or sell some stuff on eBay or Facebook. Sell something you borrowed from that neighbor (just kidding, although my friend did this my accident laugh!).
14. Do something by yourself (e.g., attend a event, go to a movie, read a book at a coffee shop, at a meal by yourself, etc.)
15. Go to a workout class you haven't attended before (e.g., Orange Theory, yoga, CrossFit, boxing, taekwondo, water aerobics, etc.)
16. Go on a walk alone around your office or neighborhood. Bonus - invite a coworker or neighbor to join you.
17. Ask a stranger to take a picture of you and a friend somewhere.
18. Ask for help from someone you don't know well. For example, a Can you help me move my TV?. or a Would you mind watering my plants while I'm on vacation?.
19. Try out a new hobby that interests you. Here's a list of 100 hobbies for inspiration.
20. Make a list of your top 10 favorite questions to ask and start asking your friends and family these questions. Here are some of my favorite questions.
21. Write a top 10 article (your top 10 tips on a topic of expertise) and share it with friends and family, asking for feedback.
22. Speak at an event on a topic of expertise or interest (e.g., work topic, hobby, etc.)
23. Complete the Daily 5 & 5 and share your answers with a friend or family member
24. Genuinely compliment a stranger. For example, I like your shirt, purse, hat, dog, or smile, etc...
25. Start and organize a group, club, or event (e.g., golf, book club, women's tea, etc.)
26. Buy a gift for a neighbor or co-worker for their birthday, holiday, or anniversary. Or make something for them, like a cake or cookies.
27. Invite people over, that you know well or don't know well, to play games and eat something you've cooked.
28. Share about a tough childhood challenge with someone you're getting to know.

Related Content

Coping with Anxiety (post) by Adam Gragg
18 Ways to Build Self-Confidence (post) by Adam Gragg
What to Do When Emotionally Overwhelmed (post) by Adam Gragg
Overcome Worry & Get Out of Your Head (post) by Adam Gragg