Kill The Inner Coward
Everybody has one. It follows you EVERYWHERE and you never notice it. It effects every decision you make, every challenge that arises, and every interaction. When it comes it brings with it feelings of fear, terror, disgrace, and unworthiness.
Most of the time the feelings are subtle but just enough to tie us to the ground. Just enough to stop you when you’re at the brink of great action.
You would think that something that follows you EVERYWHERE would be easy to spot…It isn’t.
You would think that something that effects all your decisions would be easily heard…It’s silent.
You would think that something that’s with you through every challenge would smell like hard work…It has no scent.
You would think that something able to affect all your interactions could be touched and felt…It can’t.
I call this monster the Inner Coward. It’s been known to rear its ugly head in a million and one different ways
- Racing Heartbeat
- Sweaty hands
- Inability to concentrate
- Nervousness
- Dry Mouth
- Excuses for days
Here’s the terrible thing…our weaknesses are its strengths. Failing and staying down only makes it taller and more ominous. Fear makes it stronger and more dominating. Nervousness makes the inner coward giddy with excitement. Slowness to act makes the inner coward rise to the occasion faster.
Since we know its there we can now work on killing it once and for all.
How do you shrink it?
The Inner Coward thrives and grows when we fail and stay down. When you’re laying prone it stands over you to claim its space. Appearing tall and powerful as you struggle to regain composure.
When you stand up it shrinks and loses its will and position.
How do you make it weaker?
Every time you back down from a challenge the Inner Coward gains strength. Face your fears head on. Take baby steps at first and progressively work your way up. He uses that strength to suppress your desires later.
Learn to manage your fears and steal his strength at the same time.
How do you calm it down?
The inner coward absolutely loves for you to be nervous. While you struggle with anxiety and nervousness he twitches wildly with excitement. Each time you get nervous he gets more energetic. If you don’t watch it he’ll soon be bouncing off the walls.
He doesn’t deserve that type of power and energy. Take it away from him by handling your nerves.
How do you keep it buried below the surface?
When you sit still that monster moves. The longer you are inactive the more active he becomes. He lulls you into a comfortable sense of complacency. If you allow him too much room to operate he’ll push you down every time you get ready to take a step.
Keep him at bay by remaining active. Seek challenges, action, and opportunity.
The inner coward is nasty, intelligent, and formless. We all duel with our own version daily. He can be big, strong, quick, and aggressive if we allow him to be.
We can also choose to make him small, weak, slow, and passive. Once we’ve weakened him substantially he shrivels up and dies. Don’t feel sorry for him when the time comes. Has he ever felt sorry for you?
If you like this blog please bookmark this page or RSS subscribe. To RSS subscribe scroll to the bottom of the page, click on entries RSS, and select the page you’d prefer. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
