Being brave is something that doesn’t come easily to many of us. That’s because bravery isn’t a trait we’re born with, it’s a learned attribute and one that comes from experience – and fear. So how do we be brave when that fear is there?
Face your fears
Learning how to be brave is about facing your fears, so it’s a double edged sword really. In order to be brave in business, you ultimately need to have fears to overcome. I think I probably speak for most businesswomen when I say that more often than not, fear is a daily emotion!
But the saying goes that with great risk comes great reward, and when you run your own business, you’re going to need to be brave enough to take some of those risks. Easier said than done, right? Yes and no.
Take risks
As risks get taken, bravery starts to grow. Even learning to ride a bike as a kid was a risk! As an adult, being brave often means taking risks like speaking up when others won’t, and basically pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Overcome thoughts of failure
When it comes to business, the biggest fear to overcome is failure, and that’s because the result of that failure is usually fairly significant. Failing to ride your bike first time around may result in a scraped knee and a few tears. Failing to get your business off the ground can result in financial loss, extreme stress, and enough tears to fill a bathtub.
Dare to believe
When I first left an established, successful career to start The High Tea Party, I did so knowing I was in a partnership with a like-minded businesswoman. The risk was there, but it was mitigated. We were both committed to the concept, dedicated to making it work, and in it together – or so I thought. When my partner told me she wanted out, around the time my firstborn was just 12 weeks old, I discovered that she had already put the business on the market.
The thought of running the business alone was a terrifying one, so when I began to receive interest from buyers, I considered them. But then the shock wore off and my bravery began to rear its little head. I began to dare to imagine that I could run The High Tea Party alone. A daunting prospect yes, but also a very exciting one.
I dared to believe that I could not only make it work, but evolve the original concept into an even greater one, which was another terrifying thought. But that’s the point – bravery comes from stepping out of your comfort zone.
Take the leap
I resisted the fear, took a leap of faith, and my bravery paid off – my dream of taking the event to another level came true. Last year The High Tea Party expanded beyond the east coast and went west, launching in Perth to a sell out weekend, and our event became a national one. This year we are crossing the Tasman to launch The High Tea Party in New Zealand, officially making our event an international one. This is another scary step with many new risks, but as you face your fears, they get smaller and your bravery gets bigger – and as a result, so does your business.
