What Helps You Make Courageous Decisions?
First, what does it mean to be courageous? The word courage comes from the Latin “cor” which means heart. In a sense to be courageous means to go with a full heart. To make a decision with a strong heart in the face of unknowns or danger or, you fill in the blank… It doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid or there isn’t danger, but you do it anyway.
So, in the face of fear and expectations of others, what enables you to make a decision that overrides all that? What pulls you toward that decision versus pushes you away from your current state?
Some of your criteria for making a courageous decision may be financial, your reputation, “it’s the right thing to do,” you want something more or different than your current reality offers, or the promise of happiness or some kind of different outcome/experience. In other words, there has to be an overriding promise or hope that is so strong that helps you overcome your fear, concern or danger. If you don’t have these negative strong emotions, then it’s not a courageous decision, but just a decision, or a carefully thought-through decision.
Courage is something that can only be exhibited by doing it. It’s not taught. It requires a sense of guts, passion or maybe even rebelliousness or irreverence. There has to be some kind of overriding drive welling up from within you.
Interview with Robert Markowitz
In my latest interview, my guest, Robert Markowitz’s drive to have the courage to leave his lucrative law career was, he was seeking happiness – to be happier. One might say this a move away from, but it is also a move toward. In his case, he sought fun, connection and entertainment with children, which could not have been more different than defending criminals.
For inspiration, you may check out the show here.
During our discussion we touch on spirituality, mental health and career satisfaction. It seems to me, these topics are related. I offer a way to think about spirituality as referring to how one finds their purpose and practices ways to keep perspective as they move through life that helps them be the observer of their life and/or to realize something greater than themselves is at play in everyday interactions. It seems obvious that one’s mental health can be affected by how satisfying they find their work.
In Robert’s case, his overriding factor for making the career change, despite the unknowns and less lucrative financial picture is, he was seeking happiness and thought a different line of work would help with realizing that state. His recent novel, Clown Shoes, is based on his career change journey.
My Career Enhancement
I’ve embarked upon a career enhancement myself last weekend. I won’t call it a career change, as I have always been about helping people realize their full potential. I started out as a teacher, then trained clinician/holistic health counselor, then talent development strategist, organization development consultant and leadership coach. They are all connected and interrelated fields some focused on supporting people and organizations to realize more of who they know they can be. Each discipline offers different perspectives, different approaches and tools. I started seminary (part-time – still keeping my vital coaching and consulting practice) to become an interfaith minister. I am interested in how we, as humans, make meaning, what informs our decisions, and what routines, ceremonies and rituals mark key milestones in our life and work-life. More to come on this line of thinking as the months unfold during my two-year journey.
Reflection Questions
What are the criteria by which you hold dear that enable you to have a satisfying life and productive career? What helps you make courageous decisions? What are you seeking that helps you override any fears or dangers (real or perceived by you)?
I’d love to hear any thoughts, reactions or questions.
Suze Shaner is an executive coach and leadership & organization effectiveness consultant. She also teaches yoga and meditation – tools to keep one sane in uncertain times. She helps professionals step up to their fullest leadership, life and growth potential. At times this means getting out of their own way in getting important stuff accomplished. www.sagelead.com.