Bravery

Never underestimate how brave top competitors like Lewis Hamilton, Roger Federer, Lebron James, Novak Djokovic, Tiger Woods, Andy Murray and all the stars of business and sport are under pressure. 

Courage under fire is an essential ingredient to success in sport and business. 

A strong mind is one that perseveres, not one that doesn't make mistakes. Mistakes are a bi-product of being brave under pressure, but it is this bravery that wins trophies. Being brave enough to take the shot as the famous Michael Jordan quote says is how you progress to succeeding under pressure.

Here are a few pointers that indicate bravery:

• Even if the opponents know where the attack is coming from, the intent with which it is delivered is the key - a feeling of “the intensity of the attack came as a shock!” 
• To be brave, be decisive and don’t be drawn into the low-level detail which dulls focus and intensity.
• Fear creates bravery. Without fear there would be no need of courage. 
• Bravery is not the absence of fear but a way of thinking that creates enough courage to do something that inspires a different outcome. 

What does it mean to succeed through courage? 

Succeeding through courage does not necessarily mean reaching the summit, but the attitude through which you climb the mountain in the face of pain and adversity

What value does courage have in life, beyond the context of sport?

One of the most important virtues for a person is to have is courage. Courage is the ingredient that enables you to persevere in the face of your fears, and to overcome. It is through overcoming life’s major challenges that we progress. 

The value of courage cannot be underestimated in sport or life. 

Written by David Sammel