Storytelling in the context of your business is a powerful tool. It helps you connect with your audience, foster trust and allows you to show who you are and what really matters to you. All these things can help you grow your business.
Sounds great, right? So why don’t we do more of it?
I think it’s because sometimes fear stops us in our tracks.
I have nothing valuable to say.
What will people think of me?
What if I overshare?
Or my words come out back to front?
I’ve thought all of these things at one point or another and perhaps you have, too.
So what can we do in these moments? Reach for our courage.
When those objections come up, courage helps us share our stories and become more visible in our businesses despite our fear.
The trouble is, sometimes courage feels like an elusive concept. Other people have loads of it, but for some reason, I can’t seem to find for myself. Do you ever feel like that? The good news is, I think we can discover and create more of it. But first, we need to know what it looks like.
What does courage look like?
Merriam Webster defines courage as: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.
I love the range of words in this definition - venture, persevere and withstand. It reminds me that courage is a varied, ever-evolving quality, which looks different for each of us.
My courage looks like a country lane close to where I grew up. We spent a lot of time as kids cycling around these roads, but one in particular was my favourite because it involved an especially steep hill.
We’d cycle along the lane and stop around the last bend and survey THE HILL before us. At this point there were jitters. Should we go for it? There was always the risk of a few scrapes if you didn’t get the braking quite right or you caught a pot hole or stone on the way down. But we never hesitated for long because the feeling of flying down that hill and up the other side was SO good. It was always worth it, and thankfully no one was ever seriously injured (despite the fact that back then helmets weren’t a thing - sorry Mum!).
This feeling sums up my idea of courage now. It was heart-pounding and exhilarating. It was the best fun when I was with friends and I was willing to do it again and again (pushing my bike back up the hill was no joke) because the experience was so good.
I was a lot bigger when I first attempted my hill!
(Image by Martin Vorel, LibreShot)
Your idea of courage might be quieter. It could be getting back up and pressing on with a hard journey when you’ve fallen down. It could be getting out of bed every morning and saying, ‘Today, I will try again.’ Or it could be beginning something new with a quiet determination to have a go, even if that means possible failure. All these forms of courage are equally valid.
What does your version of courage look like?
Creating more courage in your business storytelling
Being courageous when you share your stories for your business is a powerful thing. It shows commitment to your audience and will boost your confidence to be more visible.
Here are a few of my thoughts on how you can be more courageous in the way you show up for your business:
Create a picture of what your version of courage looks like. Journal on what you’re doing and notice the details that stand out. What are you feeling and thinking? Is there anyone with you? Explore and get to know your version of courage.
Focus on your purpose. For me, knowing how brilliant the experience of riding down that hill would be far outweighed the fear of doing it. If you’re afraid of what others may think when you share a piece of content, for example, focus on the purpose and benefit instead e.g. making new connections and deepening trust with your audience so your business can grow. This will fuel your courage.
Take a small, courageous step that feels like a gentle stretch. Perhaps this means telling someone the story of your business. Or sharing something about yourself with your online audience that you haven’t before. Each small step moves you forward and builds your courage.
Borrow courage from others. I love this quote from Brene Brown:
‘Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver. ‘
The first time I ran a half marathon, I borrowed a lot of courage from friends and family. They ran with me, cheered me on and believed I could do it. Their courage made mine stronger. Who can you borrow courage from?
So, what is your next small courageous step to help you share more of your stories in your business?
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