The Courage to Start
“The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
― John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running
Most people congratulate others after they finish a project or accomplish a goal, and that's understandable as it is a sign of commitment, perseverance, and follow-through. Yet, John Bingham’s quote --one of my top 3 all time favorite quotes, really attributes the miracle to starting, and he attributes it to the virtue of courage of all things.
Look, I can procrastinate until the cows come home but once I start, I pretty much follow through with my plan. Does that ever happen to you? Once I get my exercise clothes on and start running, I pretty much follow through with my run. Once I start cleaning my basement, I inevitably keep cleaning, well past the minimal time limit I set for myself. I think people worry that they’ll start and then abandon their plan along the way, but I’m asking you to think about all the times you’ve started and followed through or went longer than you thought you would. Even starting and abandoning your plan, you’re still better off than if you hadn’t started at all, right?
Image by analogicus from Pixabay
John Bingham says it’s a miracle, a miracle! that we even started in the first place. And I agree. “Starting” means you want to make a change --do differently, disrupt the status quo, and strive for happiness and a better life. Change is hard and change is scary and so yes, it does take “courage” to go down that path.
The VIA (Values In Action Institute) classifies courage as one of its six virtues --positive qualities humans can possess. They further breakdown courage into four character strengths including: bravery, honesty, perseverance, and zest. Yes, courage involves all of these. Bravery means acting despite fear. Honesty is facing up to what is and perseverance, and is the ability to keep going. Zest, from my point of view, connotes positive energy to overcome the inertia and fear.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Practice
Like any other “strength,” you can become stronger with practice --courage is no exception.
Step 1: What change would you like to make? Write it down.
Step 2: With that change in mind, ask yourself
How am I being called to be brave?
What do you need to be honest about?
What can I do to ensure I persevere?
What gives me energy around this change?
Step 3: What one small step will you take today, showing that you have the courage to change?
