There’s a reason I named my podcast Unstoppable with Kara Goldin. I welcome more boldness in the world: bold flavors, bold business moves, boldly going after your dreams. All of these things lead to a more vibrant life.
If you’re reading this, I bet there’s a brave person you look up to—and want to emulate. The good news: Daring can be cultivated. I’ve worked hard over the years to grow my confidence, courage, and drive.
As we head into International Women’s Day on March 8, I want to help you unleash your fearlessness. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming—and you’re coming out of your shell. Fortune doesn’t just favor the brave; it favors the bold. Here are a few ways to amp up your audacity.
1. Listen to your gut.
The first step in becoming more intrepid is to know yourself better. After all, confidence is just another word for self-trust. When you’re making a decision, sit quietly for a second and see how it feels in your body. Does the prospect make you scared…in a good way? Do you feel butterflies in your stomach or your heart rate rising? That’s probably a bold choice that you’ll be happy you made. On the flip side, does the idea make you tense up or give you a sinking feeling? If that’s the case, maybe it’s worth hitting the pause button and thinking things through.
2. Find your “why.”
I often refer to Simon Sinek’s idea of “starting with why.” His takeaway? Great leaders inspire action by focusing on the purpose before the process or the product. Do some soul searching and get clear on your values and motivations in life. Then, make sure your actions are aligned. You’ll find that it’s easy to motivate yourself to do hard things when it’s to reach an authentic goal.
3. Practice, practice, practice.
Regularly push yourself out of your comfort zone. For instance, maybe instead of pitching a new campaign to your boss, you start by making it a goal to speak up with a small idea in every meeting this week. Instead of reaching out to all the professionals you admire, you talk to a stranger in line at Starbucks. As you do these little challenges, your comfort zone will begin to expand. And soon, bold moves won’t seem so out of character.
4. Surround yourself with daring people.
Have you heard of the theory that your personality is the average of the five people you hang out with the most? If that’s the case, reach out to that outspoken person you respect for a coffee. Get on a project with the person at the office who always seems to be moving their ideas forward. Their energy may rub off on you and make you braver.
5. Put your fear in perspective.
Daring people have worries, just like everyone else. But they’ve found ways to manage them. The next time you feel doubt bubbling up and holding you back, allow yourself to feel your anxiety—don’t ignore it. Then, find a way to move past it. Think back to your “why,” or consider the cost of giving in to that fear. Or maybe you need to do something physical, like write your anxieties down and burn it or rip it into a bunch of tiny pieces.
6. Fake it till you feel it.
The next time you feel hesitant, ask yourself, What would a bold person do? Envision yourself as the most adventurous version of yourself. (Or the most daring person you know.) You’ll be surprised at how quickly that mindset shift occurs. Before you know it, I bet you’ll be making those bold moves without even thinking about it.