Tiny Courage

People love stories. We love grand, sweeping narratives. We love climax. We’re fascinated by ingenuity, obsessed with courage. We celebrate it. We idolise it.

And… we imprison ourselves with it.

We’re so taken by stories of people doing amazing, exceptional things that we place their achievements outside of the realms of possibility for ourselves. We compare ourselves to the courageous efforts of the heroes of these stories, and conclude that we’re not worthy.

We’re wrong.

I don’t reckon amazing lives are built on massive reserves of courage. I think exceptional results are much more accessible than we expect. ‘Big courage’ is great, but I reckon ‘tiny courage’ is much more important.

Tiny courage is asking someone on a date. Tiny courage is booking in a sales meeting, even though the one you had yesterday didn’t go as you’d hoped. Tiny courage is practicing a skill. Tiny courage is the willingness to try something new. Tiny courage is speaking when you’re uncertain. Tiny courage is being honest, when a white lie would be easier.

The smallest displays of courage have the biggest impacts in your life.

Ask someone on a date, and they might say no, and deflate your confidence. Conversely, you might begin your last and most important relationship.

A sales meeting might result in a ‘no’, and a minor knock to your ego. Conversely, it might be the foundation of a highly valuable partnership lasting many years.

Practicing a skill might lead no-where. Conversely, it might lead to representing your country at the World Championships (that’s where throwing a frisbee in a park for a few hours a week took me!)

Trying new things can be a waste of time. Conversely, it can introduce you to new experiences, people and skills that transform your life.

Do something which is a tiny bit courageous today. And tomorrow. It’ll have the biggest impact.