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By Pamela Olson

Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Adventures take courage.

Growth happens after we tap courage in order to face our fears and learn from them. In life and business, there are rocky roads to conquer before we reach new growth levels. If you are willing to use your internal courage to get through tough times, you WILL make it.

How do you find courage?

* Courage requires a strong sense of self. Who are you? What do you want to be? What is so important to you that you are willing to sacrifice to get it? Living your passions will help you face the fears. Get approval from yourself for yourself. Read personal growth books. Work with a coach, counselor, pastor, or friends who have been through the introspective process. Attend growth seminars, business advisor groups, etc.

* Courage requires intention. Write down what you want to do by when. Make your intentions specific, attainable, retainable, measurable, timely. Create a game plan with specific action items

* Practice, practice, practice courage. Set up daily courage goals for yourself.

* Education and practice prepares you for action for the predictable and unpredictable events that will pop up.

o Educate yourself on the subject, markets, area you will be working in; be an expert in your field. Read, take classes, attend seminars, seek wisdom.
o Work with a coach, friends, colleagues, business advisor groups, etc.
o Create the confidence that no matter what happens, you can deal with the results, positive or negative. (You have to be able to see the fear so you can put it in its place as you move forward.)

* Create financial security. Increase your savings cushion

* Create physical and emotional security. Prepare for confrontations with larger forces. Join entrepreneurial or business groups, create networks of family, friends, and business groups for mental support along your journey

* Connect daily with your desire to live your passion Re-commit each day. Display positive encouragement posters or notes everywhere in your house/office so you will see them every day. Meditate, give yourself pep talks, remind yourself that your sacrifices will help you achieve your higher goals

Courage will help you live through suffering and actualization of values and to grow to new levels. Make the effort to find and use your courage and opportunities in life, and business will blossom. I’ve done personal transformation work to see the depths of my core and I’m now leading an even greater life! I’ve traveled all seven continents and now work for myself, spending most of my time leading CEOs, presidents, business owners, and executives in their own personal growth and their companies’ growth journeys.

Anais Nin said, “The risk it takes to stay inside the bud is often greater than the risk it takes to blossom.” Go forth, blossom, and then make sure to stop and enjoy the flowers, too!

Pamela J. Olson, a member of WLE’s Chicago Board of Advisors, has 20 years of marketing, operations, management, consulting, and executive advisory experiences with U.S., Asian, and European firms. As a Chair of Vistage International (formerly TEC), she is an executive advisor to middle market CEOs, presidents, business owners, and executives. She can be reached at polson@chicagogsb.edu or (312) 988.9238.

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