With this year just beginning, we all need courage to get through this year. According to Oxford languages, courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one” or “strength in the face of pain or grief.” Here are some quotes about courage.
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
This quote makes me think of persistence in the face of failure. Failure will encourage any of us to question ourselves. This is especially true if we already doubt ourselves. So, I agree that managing to keep trying after failing is a sign of courage.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.’ Winston Churchill
I admire a co-worker of mine for her ability to stand up for herself. Another co-worker has been staring at her. So, she has spoken to management and is now trying to ignore him.
The second part of this quote makes me think of when a person is receiving negative feedback. I want to argue or defend myself and worry that the speaker thinks that I am a bad employee or person. So, I believe that being able to hear negative feedback and learn from it takes a lot of courage.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,’I will try again tomorrow.'” Mary Ann Radmacher
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” Tom Krause
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ …You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) You Learn by Living, 1960
Roosevelt shared how to build up courage in this quote. I remember being so afraid of driving that I waited until I was 30 or older. I am still scared of driving but I now have enough courage to drive except on highly trafficked streets. I don’t know if I will ever get brave enough to drive on a busy street.
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Maya Angelou
Here is an article about courage. Chris Drew wrote about the six types of courage and gave some examples of each. He also makes sure to mention that socially anxious people may need courage to do things that people without social anxiety may take for granted.
What areas have you shown courage? Small acts of courage still count.
What areas do you want to improve your ability to act in the face of fear?
Do you have an improvement plan? If yes, what is it?
I may want to steal it if I think it will help me to get braver about standing up for myself at work or maybe even becoming a team leader some day.
