Unleash Your Inner Lion: 8 Roar-some Ways I Learned to Master Courage (And You Can Too!)

Hey everyone! Let's talk about something we all crave, something that can feel as elusive as a perfect Wi-Fi signal on a rainy day: courage. If you're anything like me, there have been countless moments you've wished for a bigger dose of it. Maybe it was before a big presentation, a tough conversation, or even just trying something completely new and out of your comfort zone. That flutter in your stomach, the "what ifs" playing on repeat in your head? Yep, I've been there, front row, popcorn in hand.

But here's the good news, the really, really good news: courage isn't some magical trait you're either born with or you're not. Oh no. I've learned – often the hard way, with a few face-plants along the journey – that courage is more like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it gets. It’s about feeling the fear and saddling up anyway. As the incredible Brené Brown says, "Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant 'To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.'" So, it’s about showing up with your whole heart, even when your knees are knocking.

Over the years, I've picked up a few strategies, some through trial and error, others from wise souls, that have genuinely helped me build that courage muscle. And because sharing is caring (and because I want you to unleash your inner lion too!), I’m laying out 8 ways I've learned to cultivate and master courage. Get ready to roar!

1. Acknowledge the Quiver (Don't Pretend It's Not There!)

First things first, let's be real: fear is normal. It's our brain's built-in alarm system, designed to keep us safe. For the longest time, I thought being courageous meant not feeling scared. Boy, was I wrong! True courage isn't the absence of fear; it's looking that fear right in its beady little eyes and saying, "Okay, I see you, I hear you, but I'm doing this anyway."

I remember my first "big" public speaking gig. My palms were sweating, my voice was shaky in rehearsals, and my stomach was doing gymnastics that would qualify for the Olympics. My initial instinct was to push that fear down, to pretend I was cool as a cucumber. It only made it worse. What actually helped was admitting to myself, "Wow, I'm genuinely terrified right now." Acknowledging it took away some of its power. It allowed me to then ask, "Okay, fear, you're here. Now what are we (me and my courage) going to do about it?"

As the wise Susan Jeffers wrote, "Feel the fear and do it anyway." That became my mantra. Acknowledging the fear is step one to moving through it.

2. Start Small, Like Teeny-Tiny Ant Steps Small

You don't go from couch potato to marathon runner overnight, right? Same with courage. Trying to tackle your biggest fear head-on can be overwhelming and might just send you scurrying back under the covers. Instead, I learned the power of the "courage appetizer."

Think of something that makes you just a little bit uncomfortable. For me, years ago, it was simply speaking up more in meetings when I wasn't 100% sure my idea was "good enough." I started by aiming to contribute just one small point per meeting. It was a tiny step, but each time I did it and the world didn't end, it built a little more confidence. Maybe for you, it's initiating a conversation with a stranger, trying a new route home, or finally making that phone call you've been putting off. These small acts of bravery are like deposits in your courage bank. They add up!

3. Picture This: You, Nailing It! (The Magic of Visualization)

This one might sound a bit "woo-woo" to some, but athletes and top performers swear by it, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer for me. Before a challenging situation, I take a few quiet moments to vividly imagine myself succeeding. I don’t just think "I hope this goes well." I see it. I visualize the scenario playing out perfectly, myself calm and confident, handling any bumps with grace. I try to engage all my senses: what does it look like, sound like, feel like to be courageously navigating that moment?

I did this intensely before a particularly daunting negotiation a while back. I pictured myself articulate, firm but fair, and walking away with a positive outcome. When the actual meeting happened, it felt… familiar. My brain had already "rehearsed" success. As the legendary Muhammad Ali put it, "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." He visualized his victories, and that belief fueled his courage.

4. Reframe "Failure" as Your Best Feedback Buddy

Oh, the F-word. Failure. We're so conditioned to dread it. But what if we flipped the script? Some of my most significant leaps in courage came right after what looked like a spectacular face-plant. Why? Because those moments, painful as they were, were packed with lessons.

I once launched a small project I’d poured my heart into, and it… well, it flopped. Miserably. My first reaction was shame and a desire to never try anything ambitious again. But after the dust settled, and with a nudge from a mentor, I started dissecting what went wrong. Not to beat myself up, but to learn. That "failure" taught me more than many of my successes. It showed me where my blind spots were and how to approach things differently next time. Now, I try to see setbacks not as proof I'm not good enough, but as data. Valuable, courage-building data.

Thomas Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." That’s the spirit! Each "won't work" brings you closer to what will.

5. Find Your Pride (Your Support Tribe, That Is!)

Lions have their pride, and we humans need ours too. Trying to be courageous all on your lonesome is tough. It’s like trying to lift a grand piano solo – possible, but why make it harder than it needs to be? Sharing your fears and aspirations with trusted friends, family, or mentors can make a world of difference.

There have been times I've wanted to back out of something scary, and a simple conversation with a supportive friend gave me the nudge I needed. They didn’t magically take the fear away, but they reminded me of my strengths, offered a different perspective, or just let me vent, which itself can be incredibly fortifying. Knowing you have people cheering you on, or who will help you dust yourself off if you stumble, is a massive courage booster. As Helen Keller beautifully stated, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." So, find your people, your courage council, your pride.

6. Get Comfy with Being Uncomfy (The Growth Zone)

Here’s a secret: real growth rarely happens in your comfort zone. That cozy little bubble is nice, but it’s also where courage goes to take a nap. I've learned that if I’m not feeling at least a little bit of discomfort regularly, I’m probably not pushing myself enough.

This doesn’t mean you have to go skydiving every weekend (unless that’s your thing!). It can be about taking on a task at work that stretches your skills, learning a new language that makes your brain ache initially, or even having those slightly awkward but necessary conversations. I remember when I started learning a new software for work; it was frustrating, and I felt incompetent for weeks. But pushing through that discomfort, bit by bit, not only led to mastering the software but also to a significant boost in my confidence to tackle other new, intimidating things.

Eleanor Roosevelt's wisdom always resonates here: "Do one thing every day that scares you." It’s about intentionally stepping into that slightly uncomfortable space where courage thrives.

7. Pop the Champagne for Small Victories (Seriously!)

When you're working on building courage, it's easy to focus on the big, hairy, audacious goals and forget to acknowledge the smaller wins along the way. But those little victories are crucial! They're the breadcrumbs that show you you're on the right path.

Whenever I manage to do something that scares me, no matter how small, I make a point to consciously acknowledge it. Maybe it's just a mental pat on the back, telling a friend about it, or treating myself to a nice coffee. When I was working on being more assertive, successfully negotiating a better deal on a phone plan felt like a win! It wasn't world-changing, but it was a step. Celebrating these moments reinforces the positive behavior and builds momentum. It tells your brain, "Hey, we did that brave thing, and it was okay! Let's do more of that!"

Think of it like training a puppy. Positive reinforcement works wonders!

8. Practice, Practice, and Oh Yeah, More Practice! (Courage is a Habit)

Ultimately, mastering courage isn't about a one-time heroic act. It’s about the consistent, repeated effort to act in spite of fear. Like any skill, the more you practice being courageous, the more natural it becomes. It becomes less of a monumental decision and more of a conditioned response.

Looking back, things that used to fill me with dread now feel… manageable. Not because the fear has vanished entirely, but because I’ve practiced stepping through it so many times that the "courage muscle" is stronger and more responsive. Each small act of bravery trains your brain and body to handle the feeling of fear without letting it paralyze you.

Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." I truly believe courage can become a habit too. The more you choose courageous actions, the more courage becomes a part of who you are.

So there you have it – my playbook for unleashing that magnificent inner lion (or lioness!) that resides in all of us. It's not always easy, and some days your roar might sound more like a squeak, and that's okay! The journey of mastering courage is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and remember that every single step, no matter how small, counts.

What about you? Which of these resonate the most? Or do you have your own tried-and-true ways to pump up your courage? I'd love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below. Let's learn and roar together!