Why Courage Often Arrives After the Leap

Have you ever stood on the edge of something new and wondered if you were truly ready? Maybe it was walking into a new class alone, speaking up in a meeting, starting a business, or even hitting “send” on a message that could change everything.

We convince ourselves we need courage first, as if bravery is the ticket to moving forward in life. But here’s the truth: courage rarely comes before the leap. It appears after you’ve already stepped into the unknown.

I know this firsthand. When I retired at 50, I thought I was starting a career in interior design, but God had different plans. He called me back into the work I was made for: coaching. Did I feel ready? Not at all. I was nervous and wondered if I could start a new career from scratch. As I gained my education, began coaching, and took the next best step each day, my courage grew. Step by step, my confidence followed.

Courage vs. Confidence

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s about taking action despite feeling afraid. Confidence, on the other hand, is based on proof. It’s evidence that you can do something because you’ve already done it.

This is why many of us feel “stuck.” We wait until we feel confident before acting, but the evidence we need can only be built by taking action. Psychologist Albert Bandura called this self-efficacy: the belief in our ability to succeed comes from mastery experiences, the moments we try, stumble, and still make progress.

In other words, you don’t wait for confidence to appear. You take the leap, and confidence begins to grow underneath you.

The Growth Zone

Right after you take a leap, there’s a strange middle ground. You’ve decided, you’ve acted, and yet your identity hasn’t fully adjusted. This is what I call the “growth zone.”

It’s normal to feel shaky here. Second-guessing, comparison, or that inner critic trying to talk you back into safety—it's all part of the process. But those signals aren’t signs to quit; they’re proof you’re growing. Your body is simply doing what it does before any performance: flooding you with energy.

When you feel the uncertainty, try this quick reset:

1. Name it: “This is fear.” 

2. Breathe it: Take three slow box breaths (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds).

3. Claim it: Say out loud the small step you’ll take next.

Step 3: Recognize Repeating Patterns

Look for patterns or recurring phrases. Common limiting beliefs include:

• I’m not good enough.

• I’ll never succeed.

• I’m too old, young, or unqualified.

• It’s too late for me.

Create a list of these recurring thoughts. Recognizing them is the first step toward change.

Micro-Leaps: Make the Step Smaller Than the Fear

Sometimes the leap we imagine feels so huge it seems impossible. That’s when micro-leaps matter. A micro-leap is the smallest step you can take toward your goal.

• Want to contact a potential mentor? Draft only the subject line of the email.

• Want to improve your health? Place your shoes by the door and walk for five minutes.

• Want to start a business? Write a 100-word idea post instead of the full plan.

Borrowed Bravery

Sometimes courage feels too heavy to carry on one's own. That’s when you borrow it.

• Ask a friend to check in after you’ve taken your step.

• Commit publicly: register for the class, RSVP, and mark the date on your calendar.

• Change your environment: make your next step visible, obvious, and within reach.

Even the language you use matters. Replace “I have to” with “I choose to.” It reminds you that you’re in charge of your leap, not the other way around.

Rise to the Moment

Courage doesn’t mean you stop feeling afraid. It means you refuse to let fear control your life.

When you step into the moment, you’ll find that the very leap you feared becomes the proof you needed. The growth zone? It stabilizes. The fear? It transforms into fuel. And soon, what once seemed like a cliff becomes the solid ground of your next chapter.

Here’s your invitation: don’t wait until you feel ready. Take your small step today. Let courage catch up with you along the way.

Love and BIG Belief,

Terri Schafer

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