Be Brave by Julie Furlong

Bravery isn't only about being the hero in heroic acts.

It’s as simple as the risk of being yourself, being who you are and doing what you want to do. It’s as simple as facing your problems, letting the past be the past and taking the risk of being wrong. It’s about trying or doing something new and going out of your standard comfort zone. It’s about working hard and setting goals with milestones along the way. But most of all, being brave is about not worrying what other people think to achieve that greater goal. (Read: Like Me Or Not)

I love reading about the courageous and brave people around me every day. They do amazing things that they truly believe in. Bravery is around us, all the time. I am constantly seeing and reading about the women who go out on a limb and start new businesses @ladystartup. I have recently become involved in Kakenya’s dream, as a mentor of one of her students. I admire her bravery working against all the odds to educate young Kenyan girls and end female genital mutilation @kakenyasdream. I see and am so proud of my own staff continually trying hard and stepping out of their comfort zone to improve @designmarketing. But most of all, I’m proud of my 12 year-old son, doing the right thing when he recently stood up for his mate, who was getting picked on in the playground.

It is these people who will risk the possibility of failure, without caring about what others think of them, embarking on the entrepreneurial adventure of what is truly right. They don’t take what other people say or think too seriously. They understand that other people’s opinions are simply other people’s opinion.

Yes indeed, bravery is all around us.

I’ve come to learn and know that being bold, brave and courageous, will only build more confidence for you in all areas to grow as a person. And once you take those initial steps and later reflect on what you have done, it won’t seem like you were stepping out and being brave at all. You’ll start to realise that you do these things all the time and you will be surprised to know that you’re already much braver than you think.

If you are noticing that every time you want do something that you’re scared of and someone is telling you not to do it, then isn’t it time for you to be brave enough to be the real you and take a few steps to braveness? Isn’t it time for you focus on the project/s you have wanted to start forever? Isn’t it time for you to speak up and be honest with yourself?

Show up as yourself and start learning to avoid the fear in your life. Don’t pretend just be who you are. Say to yourself this is me, this is what I am meant to be, so…

• Be the person who sticks up for someone.
• Be the person who tries things in life that you felt was worth doing, even if you may fail or you are against all the odds.
• Be the person to ask for guidance and help along the way.
• Be the brave person that says no, when it all gets too much and you really don’t want to do it anyway.
  (Read: Why Say No)
• Be the person to forgive and move on.
• Be the person who tells others they are amazing! And really mean it!

Know that, even if you are telling people about your goals and intentions by just verbalising them you are being brave. Bravery is about being real and authentic, to be courageous enough to do what you truly believe in and not worry about what other people think. Next time you see someone you know going out on a limb and doing something new, give them a hug, a like on social media or send them some love and encouragement in one way or another. Because they are the ones risking it all going wrong.