Solo - The Contrarian Mindset Skill 9: Practice Courage

"Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s choosing to lean into fear, to learn from it, and to act despite it."

In this BiteSize Friday episode, Jason explores the concept of contrarian courage—a mindset that challenges conventional thinking about fear and resilience. He dives into the importance of embracing fear as an ally, redefining vulnerability as strength, and practicing courage as an intentional, incremental process. Through the contrarian lens, Jason offers strategies to transform fear into a driving force for personal empowerment and growth.

Key Topics Covered:

1. What Is a Contrarian Mindset?
   • It’s about challenging the usual ways of responding to life’s obstacles, choosing thoughtful and unconventional paths for resilience and success.
   • The contrarian mindset is structured into three clusters:
     • Mastering Self
     • Mastering Perspective
     • Mastering Resilience
2. Practicing Courage Through the Contrarian Lens:
   • Fear is not an adversary to be defeated but a companion to understand and transform into a motivator.
   • True courage is not about fearlessness but about engaging with and learning from fear to foster growth and self-awareness.
3. The Role of Vulnerability in Courage:
   • Vulnerability is often misinterpreted as weakness, but it’s the foundation of authentic courage.
   • Leaders and individuals alike grow stronger when they embrace vulnerability, fostering trust, connection, and personal development.
4. Three Practical Strategies to Cultivate Contrarian Courage:
   • Fear Reflection:
     • Use introspection or journaling to identify the origins and triggers of fear.
     • Map out fears to diminish their power and track progress over time.
   • Incremental Exposure:
     • Gradually face fears in manageable steps, building tolerance and resilience over time.
     • A technique borrowed from psychology that desensitizes fear’s intensity.
   • Courage Accountability:
     • Partner with a trusted individual or mentor to stay accountable for your growth.
     • Regular check-ins provide motivation, perspective, and constructive feedback.
5. Contrarian Courage in Action:
   • Examples include entrepreneurs and artists who face fear head-on to achieve their goals.
   • Embracing fear as an ally leads to personal empowerment and new opportunities for growth.

Additional Resources:
Interested in building a contrarian mindset for resilience, fortitude, and psychological strength? Check out the other episodes in this series linked in the show notes, and subscribe to It’s an Inside Job for more insights on resilience, well-being, and personal growth.

Part 1 – Discover the Power of The Contrarian Mindset: A New Approach to Rewiring Your Brain for Resilience and Growth

Part 2 – Discover the Power of The Contrarian Mindset: A New Approach to Rewiring Your Brain for Resilience and Growth

Chapters

• 0:16 Introduction to Courage
• 1:53 Redefining Courage
• 9:50 Building Contrarian Courage
• 15:01 The Power of Contrarian Mindset
• 20:08 Embracing Fear as an Ally

Transcript

[0:00] Music.

[0:08] Well, welcome to It's an Inside Job Bite Size Fridays, your weekly dose of resilience,

[0:13] optimism, and well-being to get you ready for the weekend. Now, each week, I'll bring you insightful tips and uplifting stories to help you navigate life's challenges and embrace a more positive mindset. And so with that said, let's slip into the stream.

[0:27] Music.

[0:34] Welcome back to the series on building the contrarian mindset now the contrarian mindset is about strengthening our resilience our tenacity our fortitude our psychological strength our ability to confront and meet uncertainty and the unknown especially when it shows up on our doorstep uninvited. And for those new to this series, what is a contrarian mindset? Well, contrarian thinking is not about being disagreeable or purposely going against the grain for the sake of it. It's about challenging the status quo of our minds. It's about questioning the usual ways you respond to life's challenges and exploring new, often unconventional paths to resilience and success. So these series of episodes invites you to think like a contrarian, not to complicate your life, but to simplify it by cutting through the noise of common fears, dysfunctional thinking, and unhelpful mindsets. So in total, there are 12 skills to the contrarian mindsets, and I have clustered them under three headings. So the first cluster of four skills is mastering self. The next one is mastering perspective. And finally, it's mastering resilience. This week, we're going to delve into the first skill of the final cluster of the contrarian mindsets.

[1:50] And that cluster is Mastering Resilience. And today we are going to discover and explore the idea of practicing courage.

[2:00] Music.

[2:06] This episode challenges and redefines traditional notions of courage and vulnerability. Deep-rooting the contrarian mindset, this episode ventures beyond the surface to explore the intricate dance between fear, action, and the essence of true courage. Now, the essence of courage through a contrarian lens delves deeper into the fundamental truths about human nature and the pervasive presence of fear. Within the confines of the contrarian philosophy, fear is not an adversary. To be defeated, but a constant companion whose presence is reliable as it is challenging. This nuanced understanding shifts the narrative from a simplistic battle against fear to a more complex engagement with it. Now, in exploring the contrarian mindset, we confront the reality that fear in its many forms shadows every decision, every leap of faith, and every venture into the unknown. It's the whisper of doubt when we stand at the precipice of change, complexity, and challenge. It is the weight that seeks to anchor us in the comfort of the familiar, of the certain. Yet, precisely, this omnipresence of fear renders the contrarian approach relevant and essential.

[3:23] Through the lens, courage becomes an act of defiance against the instinct to retreat. It is a deliberate choice made time and again to confront fear, not to eradicate it, but with the intent to understand, engage with, and ultimately transform it into a force for positive change. Now, this redefinition of courage underscores the belief that most profound growth often rises from our willingness to face what frightens us the most. The contrarian mindset encourages harnessing fear as a driving force for action, and this perspective enables us to ask critical questions. What can fear teach us about our desires, our limits, and our potential? How can the energy of fear be redirected to fuel our ambitions rather than thwart them? In seeking answers, we begin to appreciate fear as a powerful motivator, a source of insight, and a guide towards deeper self-awareness. Furthermore, the accurate measure of courage is not found in a moment of fearlessness, but engaging with fear, learning from it, and allowing it to shape our journey meaningfully.

[4:37] This evolution is not instantaneous. It is the cumulative effect of countless decisions to face fear head on, each one an act of courage that propels us forward. Now, the contrarian lens through which we view courage offers a more nuanced, realistic, and empowering perspective. It acknowledges the complexity of the human experience, recognizing that fear will always be a part of our lives. However, it also reminds us that our response to fear, our choice to confront it, understand it, and use it as a springboard for growth, that truly defines courage. This understanding does not diminish our challenges, but enriches our capacity to meet them with resilience, determination, and a deep-seated belief in our ability to transform fear into a catalyst for a profound personal and collective transformation.

[5:35] Within the rich spectrum of human emotions and experiences, vulnerability is unique and often misunderstood. Traditionally, seen as a liability, a crack in one's armor to be hidden away, vulnerability is, in fact, the foundation upon which true courage is built. This episode seeks to dismantle the long-standing misconceptions surrounding vulnerability.

[6:01] Redefining it not as a symbol of weakness, but one of bravery and strength, making ourselves vulnerable, willingly exposing our fears, our doubts, and our insecurities. Well, that demands bravery that goes unnoticed in society, and that often equates emotional exposure with fragility. Yet this openness, this raw honesty with oneself and others, well, it paves a path for authentic connections and personal growth.

[6:35] Vulnerability is the soil from which the seeds of courage sprout, enabling us to face life's uncertainties with a grounded sense of self. Consider for a moment the paradigm of leadership. You know, it's traditionally associated with confidence and stoicism. When leaders embrace vulnerability and transparently communicate their uncertainties while steadfastly seeking solutions, what they do is redefine what it means to lead. This act of vulnerability does not diminish their authority. Rather, it enhances it. It fosters an environment of trust and mutual respect. It signals to others that it is permissible to be uncertain, not to have all the answers. and most importantly, to be human. Such transparency cultivates a culture of collective resilience where challenges are met with a collaborative spirit rather than individual bravado.

[7:32] The power of vulnerability extends beyond the confines of leadership. In every aspect of life, embracing vulnerabilities allows us to confront our deepest fears and insecurities with courage. It invites others to witness our true selves, devoid of pretense, fostering more profound, meaningful relationships. Vulnerability acts as a bridge connecting individuals through shared experience of doubt and uncertainty, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

[8:05] Moreover, vulnerability is a catalyst for growth by openly acknowledging our limitations and areas for improvement. But what we do is that we set the stage for personal and professional development. It opens the door to feedback, constructive criticism, and the opportunity to learn from others. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for overcoming obstacles at achieving success. In repositioning vulnerability as the bedrock of courage, this episode challenges you to reconsider your relationship with vulnerability. It encourages embracing vulnerability, not as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of courage. By doing so, you unlock the potential for genuine connections, more collective resilience, and growth opportunities. You know, this redefined perspective on vulnerability and courage enriches our individual lives. And it has the power to transform our communities and societies, our teams, our groups, our companies. It fosters environments where openness, trust, and mutual support thrive. Yeah.

[9:16] To enrich our understanding, I want to dive into more nuanced examples. Consider the entrepreneur who steps into the unknown, fully aware of the risks but driven by the vision of what could be. This entrepreneur's journey embodies the contrarian spirit, that contrarian mindset, acknowledging the fear of failure but proceeding with conviction. Similarly, despite the dread of criticism, an artist who unveils their soul's

[9:45] work to the public, while he or she exemplifies courage in its purest form. These examples, they humanize the concept of courage and illustrate the power of facing fears with a contrary mindset.

[9:58] Music.

[10:12] Like any skill worth acquiring, contrarian courage doesn't materialize overnight. It necessitates deliberate practice akin to the rigorous training required to strengthen a muscle. So in part two of this episode, we're going to delve into actionable strategies to build this unique form of courage. You know, it's about transforming your fear from a formidable foe into a catalyst for personal empowerment. The first skill I want to talk about is something I call fear reflection. You know, the path towards courage in the contrarian mindset begins with introspection. Dedicating time to reflect on your fears is not an exercise in self-pity, but a strategic approach to understanding the adversaries within. You know, this process involves more than mere acknowledgement. It demands a deep dive into the origins and triggers of your fears. By mapping out the landscape of your fears, well, you can understand, you can see the patterns and triggers, which once understood, means you can significantly diminish the power those fears hold over you. Journaling, for example, or expressive writing. This can be an effective tool in this endeavor. It provides a tangible record of your reflections and insights, enabling you to track your progress over time and to identify specific fears that require more focused attention.

[11:37] Now, another skill is incremental exposure. Now, the concept of incremental exposure is borrowed from psychology, particularly the practice of desensitization used in treating phobias. Now this strategy involves gradually and systematically exposing yourself to the things you fear in a controlled manageable manner. Now the key here is to start small with situations that challenge you but don't overwhelm you and progressively increasing the level of exposure as your intolerance and resilience grows. Now this This method allows you to build confidence in your ability to handle fear, transforming what seems insurmountable in something that can be manageable. Incremental exposure diminishes the intensity of fear over time, and it equips you with the courage to face more significant challenges.

[12:34] Now, the third skill I'd like to talk about is called courage accountability. Well, what do I mean? Well, first of all, heading down any path to cultivate contrarian courage, it's commendable, but it can also be daunting. You know, this is where courage and accountability come into play. Now, you can create an external support system by partnering with a trusted individual, a mentor, a colleague, a friend, whoever. You know, but someone who understands your goals and is committed to supporting your journey. Now, this partnership involves regular check-ins where you share your goals, your progress, any setbacks. Someone holding you accountable can be a powerful motivator and it pushes you to act even when fear looms.

[13:20] You know, this accountability, this accountability relationship is not just about judgment but encouragement and constructive feedback. It provides you with the external perspective and support that you need sometimes, that we all need, to face our challenges about stepping out of our comfort zone, moving from that subjective storm to gain objective perspective. And sometimes when people hire me as a coach, or maybe you do have a coach or a mentor of some sort, well, what happens is they provide an external commitment. Because sometimes when we commit to ourselves, we can renege on that. Ah, I'll do it tomorrow. We'll find some way of postponing it. But when we are accountable to someone else, well, this ups our game. It increases our likelihood that we will find the courage through accountability to meet with the goals that we've set.

[14:17] You know, together, these strategies, these last three strategies that I spoke of, they form a robust framework for cultivating contrarian courage. They're not quick fixes, but they're part of a long-term commitment to your own personal growth, to your own building of resilience. You know, when you head down this path and you integrate fear reflection, incremental exposure, and courage accountability into your personal development plan, where you're going to see changes. They may start off slow, but over time you will see the growth in yourself. You know, this path changes your relationship with fear and it empowers you to embrace challenges more confidently.

[15:02] The power of the contrarian stance explores the idea of embracing a mindset that challenges conventional thinking, particularly when it comes to courage and fear. Now, some may say this approach as too confrontational or too risky. Arguing that it can create unnecessary conflict or increase the chances of failure. However, this viewpoint, in my opinion, it overlooks the true purpose of the contrarian perspective. It's not about opposing for the sake of opposition, but it's about engaging with the world more thoughtfully, more reflectively, more strategically, and choosing informed, deliberate action or simply just going along with the crowd.

[15:46] Being a contrarian in the context of courage and fear, well, it's predicated on the belief that fear should not be a barrier, but a beacon, guiding us towards more opportunities for development. You know, this approach does not advocate for a reckless charge into the unknown, but rather a more reflective, calculated way of approaching it, a more conscious decision to confront challenges more directly. You know, it's about recognizing fear as an indicator of where growth can occur, and then choosing to lean into those moments with purpose and more determination. The contrarian mindset is fundamentally about the depth of engagement. It encourages individuals to not merely brush against their fears in passing, but to dive into them, to understand their origins, and to explore their implications more fully. This deep engagement, this deep investment, well, it fosters resilience and it's forged in the very act of confronting of what terrifies us, what worries us, what concerns us, and it transforms potential vulnerabilities actually into strengths.

[17:00] Moreover, this stance is inherently proactive. It involves a deliberate choice to reframe challenges as opportunities, to see beyond immediate obstacles to the potential for learning and our own personal evolution. And by doing so, while each of us with a contrarian mindset, we're more likely to innovate, to find unique solutions to complex problems, conundrums, and to lead change rather than being swept along by it.

[17:32] You know, the contrarian approach also emphasizes the value of informed action. This is not about blind opposition to conventional paths, but about making educated decisions based on thorough understanding of the situation.

[17:49] It means weighing the risks and benefits. It's about considering alternative viewpoints and then choosing boldly a course of action that, contrary to the norm, is rooted in deep conviction and strategic thinking. When we embrace the contrarian mindset, we set an example that challenges are not just to be faced, but embraced as essential components of the path towards our own personal or professional fulfillment. You know, this culture encourages experimentation, learning from failure, and the continuous pursuit of excellence and improvement and each of these are critical components for sustainable growth and development so to tie a bow on the end of this episode the power of the contrarian stance the power of the contrarian mindset makes the case that challenging conventional views on courage and fear well it's vital for personal growth it's for innovation and and for the key word we've always talking about on this podcast is resilience you know it encourages us to rethink our relationship with fear seeing it as a chance for meaningful transformation a meaningful evolution of who we are.

[19:03] By valuing informed, deliberate, and sometimes unconventional action, well, the contrarian mindset, it offers a path to unlocking our own full potential. It's to see fear as a message, not something to run from, but something to lean into. And that is just what contrarian courage is about. It's not being fearless. It's about embracing the fear. It's about saying, yeah, I am worried. I'm scared. I'm concerned. I'm afraid but in my case when I was confronted with the bad news that I was given that's what I had to do there's no denying that I was feeling fear that I was feeling afraid, but what I did after a time I emotionally embraced it and that allowed me to find the courage to take steps forward to find constructive ways of rebuilding myself both mentally cognitively physiologically emotionally and to get ready for the fight to build myself up for the fight.

[20:09] And so fear actually was an ally it wasn't an enemy it's the fear as an ally it also pulled the veil from my eyes to see the courage that i could find the boldness that i could find strategic thinking that i could didn't have to react but i could reflect and proactively choose what I want to do. And that clarity, that sober mindset, well, I didn't give into the fear. I leaned into the fear and I learned from the fear, which lent me courage to move forward. And I hope this episode, to some extent, can help paint that picture for you.

[20:52] Music.

[21:01] If you're curious to know how to build a contrarian mindset for greater resilience, fortitude, tenacity, psychological strength, and a sense of well-being, well, you'll find links to the other episodes in this series in the show notes. So make sure you hit that subscribe button. And I'll be back next week with my long-form conversational episodes on Monday and the latest Bite Sites episode on Friday. and have yourself a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.

[21:28] Music.