Courage is not the absence of fear. Courageous people do feel fear, but they are able to manage and overcome their fear so that it does not stop them taking action.

No one wants to feel uncomfortable. So, sometimes we put off facing uncomfortable emotions or doing what we know we ought to do – at a major expense. In life, we are going to be scared many times. The key is to learn how to manage and face our fears.

Courage starts with the decision that fear is not going to control you. Look at the situation and evaluate the cost/benefit of taking action – what is potential gain of acting or loss for not acting.

Frame that fear as an opportunity for growth, that something new is about to happen.

Don’t torture yourself with uncertainties and worries. Find out what you still need to know in order to make an informed decision about if and how to proceed. Often, the fear is coming from uncertainty or not knowing enough. Ask lots of questions to get better sense of the situation.

Finally, act. Just do it. You are way stronger than you think. You are way more resilient than you give yourself credit for. You will survive and even grow from this too.