Becoming Braver
Adventure
You Know There Are Things You Could Do … If Only…
Those things you know you need to say, do, ask for, or change, but somehow you don’t.
Perhaps you’ve become rather good at hesitating. At blending into the background. At telling yourself you’re fine when you’re really not. At knowing what you needed to do differently, but…
After all, you’re highly skilled, capable and competent, even if not all of that capability is being expressed.
When I look really closely, I notice that ‘If Only’ people often wear a certain air of resignation having spent years, sometimes decades, not saying or doing what they really want or need to.
Truth is, I got good at knowing that look because I’ve worn it myself.
And I also know that the hefty price I paid for continuing to play small.
If only you were a little braver, what could be different?
First we need to get comfortable with what Bravery really means
For many of us, the word brave conjures up someone loud, forceful, fearless. Someone at home in the thick of things.
That isn’t my definition.
For me, bravery is taking action because it’s the right thing to do, even when I don’t feel ready or I’m not assured of the outcome. It’s jumping not knowing if the net will appear, but trusting that it will.
It’s valuing myself sufficiently to install, maintain and defend my boundaries even at the risk of upsetting people. It’s taking up space and being fully present. It’s calling myself, and occasionally others, out on our bullshit.
But it’s not rash or reckless, because our think-say-think way of communicating as introverts can mean we’ve probably considered every possible consequence before we’ve taken the first step. Oftentimes, that careful consideration serves us beautifully. Sometimes, frankly, it gives us the space to chicken out.
I’ve come to know that bravery is the precursor to confidence. When we take appropriate and effective action, we gather the evidence that we can do it, which means confidence has something rather more solid to build upon.
So bravery isn’t about becoming somebody else at all.
It’s about becoming more willing to act as ourselves.
Becoming Braver: The Adventure
This isn’t another course where you collect information, tick a few boxes and wonder what you’re supposed to do with it afterwards. It’s an Adventure, and that means stepping away from some normal routines and getting into action.
Here is what to expect over four days…
Day 1: Reimagine Bravery
Define what bravery means on your terms.
Day 2: Your WHY
Get really clear about why you want or need to be braver.
Day 3: Braver Habits
Notice the habits that may be getting in your way and start experimenting with new ones.
Day 4: Maintaining your Bravery
Build strategies that help you to deal with the inevitable wobbles.
And please don’t imagine I’m going to send you off to perform some earth shattering act of bravery. That’s not my style.
I’m much more interested in small, sustainable steps that give you the proof you need.
Because bravery is something we can practise.
Then We Gather Around
The Braver Campfire
After the four days, we will take a mini-break so you can absorb all that you’ve worked on, begin to embed your new habits, and pre-charge for ‘The Braver Campfire’ – LIVE via zoom! Cameras optional
The Braver Campfire is a chance to share some of the stories from your Adventure, listen to what others have discovered or achieved, and reflect on what you’ve learned about yourself.
Some people will have plenty to say. Others may prefer to listen. Both are perfectly welcome.
There is no pressure to perform and no expectation that everyone will have slain a dragon by teatime.
This is simply a chance to close the loop, connect with fellow travellers, and notice what has shifted.
Because something rather useful often happens when we hear other people’s stories. We realise that whilst our journeys are individual, the territory we’re travelling through may be remarkably similar in some ways, so we know we are not on our own.
Ready to Become Braver?
If you’re a reflective introvert who recognises that ‘If Only’ feeling, who knows there are things you’d like to do differently, but you’re not interested in pretending to be louder, pushier or more extraverted to make it happen, this Adventure is just what you’re looking for.
It’s a four day experience, delivered in manageable pieces so you can take part at a pace that works with your commitments.
You’ll receive a new part of the Adventure each day by email with a link to the resources. There is no big group call you have to attend to discover the next steps, no pressure to share unless you want to, and there’s no falling behind even if life gets in the way. It’s your Adventure, so you decide how you engage with it.
You’ll have the opportunity to take some small actions along the way, reflect on what happens and bring your questions and experiences into the Braver Campfire. I’ve created this process from my own experience, and I’ve run Becoming Braver with groups before. I know that the useful bit isn’t simply talking about bravery. It’s discovering what happens when we actually do something with it.
So, if there are conversations you’ve been avoiding, boundaries you’ve been meaning to uphold, opportunities you’ve been hesitating over or simply a sense that you’re capable of more than you’re currently expressing, perhaps it’s time to find out what a little more bravery might make possible.