Living a Bold, Positive Life Without Regrets

by Michael Corthell

Living a bold, positive life means overcoming the fear of failure, so you are motivated, and happy to try new things. 

The biggest regrets in anyone's life contains these three statements: ''could have'', ''might have'', and ''should have''.

''Fortune befriends the bold.'' 

—Emily Dickinson

All too often, in order to avoid feeling embarrassed, looking silly, being harmed, or facing rejection and possible failure, we play it safe. That is FEAR of unknown consequences.

The first thing to realize is that the ''bold'' I'm referring to, is associated with action e.g. a ''bold move.'' And all actions start with a thought. Hopefully a positive thought. Thought is a choice. If you want to overcome your fears by being bold, you must choose. 

Okay, you've chosen. If you didn't choose wisely, that is, you haven't made positive statements like: 'I can', 'I will' and 'I am a winner', you can stop reading right now. But if you have chosen the wise path of both knowing and walking that positive road by taking direct action, here are some great ideas and suggestions to help you get started.

''Space: the final frontier...to explore strange new worlds,

to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.''

—Star Trek

Know thyself. Understand all your flaws and strengths. There is a big difference between boldness and being reckless. People who are positively bold have a strong sense of self-awareness. They know when they should take bold action and when they shouldn't. They minimize the risk for themselves and others by calculating the risk associated with all action. They think it through.

Keep your priorities clear. Never jump into an action without a plan. That's not boldness, only foolishness. Bold people know their objectives and prioritize them clearly.

Speak up and speak out. You don't need to be loud or boisterous, but when you have something to say, just say it. It is also very important to know when and how to say what you're thinking. Being bold does not mean being a bully or a loudmouth. (the world seems to have had enough of that). Make sure that you know how to behave. Take action with tact and empathy. Your words will then carry more power and have greater impact.

Before action, comes knowledge. Bold people are prone to action, but they are rarely go off 'half-cocked'. They are prepared to take action by knowing the details. They do their homework. 

Graceful not disgraceful failure. You shouldn't be comfortable with failure, but bold people know and understand that greater rewards come from taking greater risks. Make failure an acceptable part of your process, but be bold in your assessment of any action and limit risks to avoid 'total destruction'. If you do fail, know that you can always 'reboot'.

Be bold in celebrating small victories. Don't wait around for the "right opportunity". Know what you want to do and get started right where you are right now. A bold and assertive person understands that rarely is any situation perfect to take action. They will look to make the most of any set of circumstances that can lead to a win, even a very small one. Start with a small project you know you can win, then develop a plan, and get going. A series of small victories builds big confidence.

Get that fly-wheel spinnin'! A single victory is not enough to sustain success usually. I say 'usually' because there are exceptions of course. Bold people work to create a series of step-by-step actions that help them gain confidence, and develop speed, and power. Knowing when to add energy to drive forward or when to let the momentum itself carry the load comes with experience. Develop your plans so that each action takes advantage of the success that was gained from the last. Keep building and refining—never rest on your laurels—never coast!

Bold people stand out in a crowd. They are confident, courageous, and self-directed. I want you to believe, as I do, that there is boldness in all people and that your inner, self-assurance can be brought forth and used to take action —action that will make a better world, not only for yourself, but for those around you as well.

______________

The Fastest Way To Build Self-Confidence   

by Sharon Melnick

Dr. Sharon Melnick shares the secrets of her research at Harvard Medical School as to why people get in their own way.