Courage Is A Gift

"It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. -Epictetus, the 1st Century Greek Philosopher

Courage is daring to be? Brave. Enterprising. Bold. In your business or personal life, how often do you question your thoughts, your actions, or your motives? When you don't exercise the ability to always test yourself, you may lose not only your confidence, but more importantly, you lose the ability to focus, to know yourself, your friends, and your customers.

When faced with decisions and challenges, asking yourself questions every day, every hour, every moment gives you the courage to discover what is important to you and what a particular situation means to you, and what result or solution you'd like to accomplish.

Not many people experience life the way they want it to be. If things don't work out the way you want, don't find someone else to blame. Know what goals you want, then question your actions in reaching them. Compare your answers to what others may wish for you. After all, having a successful business or a life of contentment, requires you to know yourself and the goals that are best for you.

Courage is getting in the habit of looking inward and going with your highest feeling of what's true and what feels right for you. Apply this inner evaluation in your business and in your personal life. This is important if you wish to grow and stay successful. It works!

Have the courage to be curious (not nosy!). A quest for knowledge about life and the people you interact with is good. Look for answers to whatever you plan to do. This keeps you thoughtful. Keep a journal if it helps. Over time, you can look back and discover the results of your actions (or reactions) to certain problems. Then when faced with future or similar problems, you'll have a ready solution.

Realize your weaknesses and work toward improving them. Continue to renew yourself and remember that life has a way of constantly testing your ability and courage to deal with it. When you can learn to appreciate the challenges in both your business and personal life, you find inner strength. Then you're able to bring about an inner peace and spirituality that gives you a good tool for building self-confidence and self esteem.

There's something inside each of us that fuels our motivation, our passion, and our reason to succeed. Keep encouraging yourself to take the necessary risks to refuel your confidence. Question your motives. Then search for the answer. Question any doubts you or others may have about your courage to succeed. You are what's important.

Don't let negative thoughts get in the way of your progress and your goals. Control your thoughts. Think about what's important to you. When your thoughts are positive, they have a way of replenishing your courage. No matter how often unpleasant or difficult challenges get you down, don't give in to negative thinking. Just pick yourself up and move on. Focus on what gives you your strength and uniqueness.

Remember: motivation, passion, and your reason to succeed in life, as well as in business, are essential requirements to reaching your goals. Live life in a constant state of awareness, with peaceful thoughts, a dash of forcefulness, and a good measure of faith and spirituality. You will then be exercising your gift of courage.

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About The Author

Gerri D Smith is publisher and host of multiple Gateways to inspiration, motivation, and information for individuals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. Gerri's internet business resource creates ways for you to unlock the doors to success and income. To help you reach more of your personal and financial goals, become one of the exclusive subscribers to her Free Monthly Newsletter.

For details, visit: http://www.distinctivebusinesswomen.com. Or, send your correct email address with: "Subscribe to DBW's Newsletter-9AC" in Subject Box and mail to gerri@distinctivebusinesswomen.com

In The News:


Theatre, the latest motivation tool in Indian metros
Economic Times, India - 13 hours ago
NEW DELHI: Theatre serves many purposes, one of the primary ones being motivation. A recent theatre workshop showed the medium is fast becoming a potent ...

Motivation freeze gets extensions
The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - 10 hours ago
... 22 a 90-day freeze order against Productions Action Motivation Inc. at the request of provincial securities watchdog Autorité des marchés financiers. ...

Times Online

Djokovic Feels Fine, and That's Motivation Enough Against Roddick
Washington Post, United States - Sep 4, 2008
By Liz Clarke Whether real or imagined, Novak Djokovic's list of ailments was so long just two days ago that Andy Roddick couldn't help but poke fun. ...
US Open Preview: Weather could shape men's semi-finals with rain ... Bangkok Post
Djokovic vs. Federer Sports betting previews
Angry Djokovic exacts revenge on Roddick CNN International
Telegraph.co.uk - The Associated Pressall 3,037 news articles

Optimism, motivation push Wave
The Patriot Ledger, MA - 20 hours ago
Division 3 playoff appearances, something that has served as motivation for this year’s talented group. “When we were talking after last year’s Medfield ...

Washington Post

Giant upset puts motivation’s at Pats’ fingertips
Boston Herald, United States - Sep 4, 2008
By Gerry Callahan The ball stayed there on the side of David Tyree’s helmet like it was attached with Velcro, a play so strange and fluky that it still ...
These guys are only motivated not to look back Boston Globe
History proves Bishop was once leader of the Brady Bunch Vancouver Sun
We’re just saying…kicking off the Patriots' season KeepMEcurrent.com
Colts.com - USA Todayall 144 news articles

TCU’s Turner has motivation to carry the football
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 13 hours ago
He’ll gently cuddle with her and thank her for being his motivation — even if she isn’t aware of it. It might take a while, but Rihanna will learn all sorts ...

Billy Long's Motivation Was Power, Greed
The Chattanoogan, TN - Sep 5, 2008
We don’t need a psychiatric evaluation to tell us what Billy Long's motivation was…..it’s called power and greed. Now he wants to play the blame game. ...

Melbourne Herald Sun

Mason's injury a career saver
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 4 hours ago
Mason conceded he had lacked motivation at times this year, but he has promised to come back in 2009 hungrier than ever. Scans at St George Private Hospital ...
Sailor and Mason go head-to-head Courier Mail
Sailor and Mason go head-to-head Melbourne Herald Sun
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ABC News

Hillary Clinton’s New Motivation
Forbes, NY - Aug 31, 2008
Now, she will have added personal motivation. Look to see Hillary pounding the campaign trail, hoping to fend off Palin’s bid to take what she views as ...
The Gloves Are Officially Off: Palin's Speech Makes Her Fair Game Huffington Post
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Vancouver Sun

Giants have motivation for repeat performance
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - Sep 3, 2008
By Tom Canavan • AP • September 4, 2008 EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Winning the Super Bowl didn't remove the chip on the New York Giants' shoulder. ...
Giants Quickly Display Their Defensive Prowess Washington Post
Despite audibles, reliable defense keeps G-Men dangerous CBSSports.com
Giants to doubters: We're still Super New York Daily News
The Canadian Pressall 229 news articles
motivation - Google News


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