Courage is a skill. Courage is built. Courage takes practice.

You watch what you eat To build a healthy body. You hit the gym To build muscle and run To develop your cardio capacity. You answer the crossword puzzles To keep your mind sharp. You meditate To develop inner peace.

What comes before the "To" as you develop courage?

Strewn across social media are quotes about facing your fears, but are you methodical and track this development like any other growth area? Do you intentionally step a bit closer to the edge of the cliff with the intention of weakening the fear and developing courage? 

Former Arena football player and entrepreneur, Lewis Howes (@lewishowes), often recounts his fear of girls in school. He committed to talking to a girl every day and try to get her phone number. Regardless if he gained the contact information, he won. Courage was under construction and strengthened daily.

Situations arise that require spontaneous courage; stopping a burglary, averting a nuclear attack, or the need to fend off a Martian invasion. Statistically, these events are rare. Those that dedicate their lives every day to our safety and security submit themselves to rigorous training to prepare for such circumstances. Building courage is through one real encounter or simulation at a time.

You will face one of your fears in the next month; fear of heights, public speaking, asking for a raise, catch a spider, fire an employee, hold your ground in a conflict, or a host of other day-to-day concerns. Better to reinforce your courage in one of these areas in preparation for the future. Sure as the sun will rise and gravity will keep your feet on the floor, courage will be in demand.

What is a particular courage building task you can add to your weekly plan? Join the community and get committed; add your task to the comments.

Going Further: What area of your life do you want greater courage? How has this fear impacted your life? How can you intentionally work to strengthen this area? Do you have confidence that submitting yourself to micro doses, will increase your courage? What would it look like to have healthy courage in this area? What question was missed?