The Antidote to Fear: 7 Questions to Courageous Action

At Simmons, we see our differences as our strength. Like many others, we bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our work, and we believe that this combination makes us stronger. However, we are also called to take courageous action together, with one another and our communities—and often, that requires stepping out of our comfort zones. In a world of uncertainty, people may experience genuine fear regarding their workplace, outcomes, performance, and concerns about their potential, future relevance, and identity. In such times, having the courage to take action is more crucial than ever.

Cultivating personal courage requires each of us to acknowledge what we don’t know, ask for help, and act despite risk of failure. All three actions are likely to invite feelings of discomfort and vulnerability. So – what can we do to move past our own fears?  

Based on the wisdom of our book, Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, we’ve distilled the questions you can use when faced with a bold decision – or to navigate that difficult conversation you might be avoiding. The 7 Questions to Courageous Action serve as prompts for self-reflection and exploration, empowering you to tap into your courage and overcome hesitations or fears.

The 7 Questions to Courageous Action

The questions are easiest to use as your guide if you choose an actual situation that will require courageous action. It can be a discussion you have been avoiding, a request you wish to make, a bold move you have been contemplating. Whatever the situation, these questions are your path to clarity and action.

1. Is this issue important? Why?
   Whatever the issue, is it really important to you? Is it meaningful and does it align with your values?  We encourage you to not just reflect, but make a few notes about why it’s important. If your chosen situation doesn’t feel important, you may want to think of another situation that you can use as we walk through the rest of the seven questions.
2. Is this the right time? Why?
   Timing is everything. It may be easy to decide if now is the right time, or this may be a more challenging question to answer. If you are having a hard time deciding, it may be helpful to think about what will happen and how you will feel if nothing changes in a week, in a month, or in a year.
3. What’s the best thing that could happen? And then what?
   We love this question. Don’t skip to question #4 like most of us naturally do. Give yourself the opportunity to dream a bit. What would be possible if you took this action? What’s the best thing that could happen? And then what else could happen that’s positive and good and worth it? Take time to think about the best possible outcome and keep this as your guiding light when you feel the dark surge of fear want to take over. There is a reason you feel called to act. Getting clear about the best thing that could happen will make it all that much easier for you to manifest it.
4. What’s the worst thing that could happen? And then what?
   If you have been in a cycle of indecision or mired in fear, chances are it won’t take you long to list all the plausible worst outcomes should you take bold action about your situation. Make your list. Whatever comes up doesn’t mean you stop here. We want you to move to Courageous Action Question 5 no matter what.
5. What don’t I know?
   Think through what you may not know about the situation. Reminder: Courage isn’t the absence of FEAR it’s the presence of vulnerability. When you acknowledge what you don’t know, you have the opportunity to go find answers and draw on knowledge of other people.
6. Who can help? How?
   When is the last time someone asked you for help? Chances are, you felt honored to be turned to for your experience or courageous action. When you have help, you don’t feel alone. You have other folks who can help you navigate challenges and decrease the risk of failure. Recognizing the importance of support and seeking assistance from others can provide you with the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement.
7. How can I take one small step?
   Taking a small step helps in several ways. First, incremental steps allow you to grow your courage slowly. A small action feels easier, so you don’t need a lot courage to take it. Second, you may have heard that idea that the action is the antidote to anxiety – by taking action, you decrease the anxiety around the issue. And third, you build confidence by having a small success under your belt. If the 7 questions feel like too much for you to take on, consider asking for help. 

Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Help

Much of our reticence to ask for help points to worrying about what people think. Concern about being judged by others is a very real feeling. If you find it hard to ask for help, you might be thinking, I should be able to handle this myself, or I’m unsure of where or to whom to go for help with this, or this isn’t bad enough to ask for help, or what will X think of me if they know I need help?

Keep in mind that everyone in your life has had to ask for help with at least one area of their lives. When considering asking for help, take a moment to reconnect with your Best Self. Ground yourself in your strengths, and from a place of self-awareness and confidence, use this opportunity to invest in yourself. Asking for help means you care enough about yourself to increase the likelihood that things will work out in your favor by getting the support you need. Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful step toward growth and success.

Interested in exploring other practices from Arrive & Thrive? Check out these posts: Breaking Free from Self-Doubt: How to Reconnect with Your Best Self and The Essence of Authenticity: Crucial Insights for Leaders.