How to Be Brave: 7 Ways to Be Courageous

Your heart pounds, palms sweating, and a quiet voice inside constantly whispering inside of you:

“What if I fail?”

“What if they judge me?”

We’ve all experienced that feeling before.

Whether it’s speaking your truth, trying something new, or choosing a different path… being brave isn’t easy. Especially when fear feels louder than clarity.

But bravery isn’t about having no fear.

It’s about learning to flow with it.

This guide is here to help you do just that.

I’ll walk through what real courage looks like, why it matters for your life, and simple ways to build it – even if you’re feeling stuck or scared right now.

If fear has been holding you back for a while, then you’ll also enjoy the free confidence email series. It covers unique mindset shifts to instantly feel more yourself and confident in any situation.

Now let’s dive into the article!

What is courage?

Courage is the ability to take action despite fear, not in the absence of it.

Being brave is about doing the thing that you know you should be doing – and not allowing fear of discomfort to hold you back. Without fear, no courage is required.

It means being willing to show up fully, speak up honestly, and step into the unknown – specifically when you feel unsure, your voice is shaking, and your hands are sweating.

It’s not about being reckless or emotionless. 

True courage is grounded, led from the heart, and often quiet.

Why is being courageous important?

Being brave is important because courage comes before confidence.

Without it, you stay stuck.

Stuck in jobs you’ve outgrown, relationships that drain you, or cycles of overthinking that shrink your confidence.

Courage is how you reclaim your power.

It’s the bridge between the life you’re living… and the one you desire.

When you choose courage:

• You start trusting your voice more than other people’s opinions.
• You build confidence and self-respect by following through.
• You create inner peace – even in chaos and uncertainty.
• You open doors that fear would’ve kept shut.

Bravery isn’t necessarily about making big leaps. 

It’s about pushing through to overcome fears and small mental obstacles to become someone you’re proud of.

Benefits of being brave and courageous

• You stop letting fear make your decisions for you.
• You build deep self-trust through action.
• You learn to navigate uncertainty with calm.
• You feel proud of how you show up, even when it’s hard.
• You grow faster – emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
• You attract aligned opportunities and people.
• You live more fully, more honestly, more you.

7 Ways to be courageous while experiencing fear

1. Feel the fear: Name what you’re afraid of and why. Don’t judge your fear, simply disarm it. You see, fear thrives in vagueness. But when you reveal to yourself that you’re scared of rejection or failure, you move from avoidance to awareness. That’s where bravery begins.
2. Take one tiny step: Choose the smallest possible action toward what scares you and do it. Don’t aim for a huge leap – aim for movement. A 30-second conversation, a mail sent, a moment of honesty. Each step builds proof that you can move forward, even if fear is in the room.
3. Talk to your inner protector: That fearful voice isn’t the enemy – it’s trying to protect you based on old but false stories. Recognize that these stories serve to protect you – but also know that you’re more capable than your limiting beliefs. Positive confidence affirmations and other methods of positive self-talk can help. Also celebrate your wins!
4. Visualize: Picture how you’ll feel after doing the brave thing – the pride, the peace, the relief. Let that future version of you be louder than the what-ifs. Your brain doesn’t always believe logic, but it responds powerfully to vivid emotion and imagined success.
5. Choose people wisely: Spend time with people who reflect your strengths back to you, not your fears. Choose friends, mentors, or even online voices who model the courage you’re building. Fear shrinks in safe spaces.
6. Reframe the fear: Shift “what if I fail?” into “what if I grow or learn something important?” You see, while fear only imagines the worst, failure is essential for growth. Growth rarely feels comfortable, but it’s always worth it. And the biggest setbacks or failures are often the greatest accelerators for growth.
7. Clarify your vision: When you know who you’re becoming and why it matters, fear starts to lose its power. Bravery needs a “why.” Take time to define what you want and who you’re becoming – so your choices feel aligned, not forced. Think about your purpose, mission statement, and personal vision statement. Empower yourself through clarity, which is your compass in moments of fear.

An example of courage

Someone I know – let’s call her Maya – spent years doubting herself. 

She wanted to switch careers, but every time she thought about it, fear took over. Her current job was comfortable but energy draining. And she likes the people. 

What if her new job was worse?

When she finally found a job she couldn’t resist, she decided to make the leap and go for it. Scared. Nervous. But with courage.

Although the new job was challenging at first, learning the ropes, within a few months it turned out to be the best decision ever. By eventually going through the fear, she now lives a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Avoid these common traps for courage

• Waiting until fear goes away – it won’t. You have to move with it.
• Comparing yourself to others – their path isn’t your path.
• Overthinking every outcome – clarity comes through action.
• Beating yourself up for feeling scared. Fear is human, not weakness.
• Letting perfectionism paralyze you – courage is messy, not flawless

How to get started?

Start small. Pick one area of your life where fear is keeping you stuck — and take one gentle step forward.

It might look like sending a message, saying what you really feel, or just writing down what courage means to you.

If you’re ready to start building foundational self-confidence from the inside out, then you’ll enjoy my 2-week action-based course. You’ll learn the secrets that transformed my life, including how to listen to and trust your inner voice so you can live your best life.

Check out Insideout Confidence Mastery Blueprint