When you think of Courage what comes to mind? A resolute soldier in the battlefield, a scrubbed surgeon entering the operating theater, a window washer stepping on to an aerial platform, or perhaps a wide eyed toddler staring at the cold swimming pool. Courage has many faces and many facets.
Courage “describes strengths that help you exercise your will and face adversity.” The four strengths grouped under this category of emotional wellbeing are: Bravery, Honesty, Perseverance, and Zest. Surprised? Step back and widen your perspective to see that courage extends beyond bravery.
1. Bravery is an act of courage.
It involves perceived personal risk (out of your comfort zone), sense of fear (you could get hurt), and uncertainty of the outcome (end result may be other than hoped for). Despite the presence of these elements a person moves ahead. Both self-regulation and will power are needed to do so.
Bravery takes on different forms: moral (standing up for ones principles), physical (facing bodily danger), and psychological (confronting fear of making a wrong decision, failure or embarrassment). “Courage is the will to action despite fear. It is synonymous with the good life.” Robert Biswas-Deiner author of The Courage Quotient.
2. Honesty / Integrity / Authenticity is being true to yourself.
It goes beyond truthfulness in words, and includes taking responsibility for one’s emotions, thoughts and actions. We sometimes focus on our actions alone and miss recognizing ownership of our thoughts and emotions. It means presenting ourselves genuinely and sincerely.
Granted it is quite instinctive to protect ourselves with untruths; it takes courage to speak the truth. It means rising to the standards set for oneself and living by one’s values and beliefs. You are true to your very core and have the courage to say it out loud even in the face of disapproval.
3. Perseverance is finishing a task that you have started.
It is easier said than done as there are several hurdles that surface seemingly from nowhere. A phone call, an urge to browse the internet, hunger, stumped on how to proceed with the next step, failing on the first attempt, meeting your boss’s immediate demands are every day obstacles. Long term goals like finishing a thesis are even greater challenges. Both effort and persistence are needed to complete the task at hand.
This strength requires using supportive strategies to sustain the goal directed activity, such as keeping lists, creating breaks, setting boundaries with oneself and others, and rewarding yourself for mini milestones. When giving up seems like an easy way out, you buckle down and keep going. “The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us the chance to show how badly we want something.” Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture
4. Zest is vitality and enthusiasm in any given situation in life.
It requires energy, and is vibrant and dynamic. It means approaching life with zeal to make the most of every moment, savor its richness and move forward with optimism and confidence. Waking up to the call of the morning sun and looking forward to the day despite challenges has zest splayed all across.
It possesses both ‘mental and physical vigor’ and involves doing things whole heartedly. Research shows that zest predicts both life and work satisfaction. Burn out depletes you of energy, whereas zest fuels you with more energy. “The character strength of zest can be an important barometer for how you are doing at work and in life.” Paula Davis-Laack in Positive Psychology News
As you can see Bravery, Honesty, Perseverance, and Zest take Courage. Each of these strengths may have risen within you from time to time. One may outshine the others. You may be more honest than you are persevering. Recognize that and take heart. Ask yourself if you wish to sharpen any of the others. Let your Courage shine!