Courage: The Antidote to Uncertainty
Courage has been on my mind lately. It’s rare. But when you see it, either in someone else or buried deep within yourself, it’s unmistakable.
So what makes a person courageous? Why does it feel so scarce in today’s world? My favorite definition of courage is simple: moving forward in the face of uncertainty. Not when the path is clear. Not when the risk is low. But when you don’t know what’s coming next and you move anyway. Uncertainty is the enemy of courage. And let’s be honest, we all know that feeling.
It shows up when:
You’re unsure if your job is safe.
Your relationship hits a rough patch and you question its future.
You dream of launching a business but feel overwhelmed by the “what ifs.”
A diagnosis throws your health into limbo.
Infertility tells you something you desperately want may never come to pass.
Uncertainty is heavy. It lands in your gut like a stone. It clouds your thoughts. Tightens your chest. Weakens your resolve. Sometimes it passes quickly. Other times, it camps out in your life for months, or even years. But here’s the truth I’ve learned, uncertainty hates action. It feeds on stagnation. It thrives in your silence. It whispers its lies when you’re standing still.
But the moment you move, even just an inch, it starts to lose its grip. Action is the antidote.
Feel uncertain about work? Study more. Ask better questions. Become someone your team can count on.
Relationship on rocky ground? Have the hard conversations. Listen with humility. Be willing to grow.
Starting a business? Research the market. Learn from others. Fail forward and don’t quit.
Facing illness? Rest, yes. But also fight. Take your health seriously. Find support. Keep hope alive.
Each of those actions is a strike against uncertainty. Each step you take is a counter attack.
The thing is, courage does not feel comfortable. That’s the biggest myth. We think courageous people don’t feel fear. But that’s not true. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s deciding fear doesn’t get the final say. It’s choosing to step into the unknown, again and again.
And each time you do, something shifts. You realize you’re capable. You understand your strength. You build discipline, brick by brick.
Life is scary. But so are you. And the more you face the fear, the more you realize: You were built for this. Every time uncertainty shows up, it gets met by a stronger, more experienced version of you. That’s what happens when you’ve been Getting After It, when you’ve refused to let life happen to you and instead lived it on purpose.
So let me say it clearly: Be courageous today. Not next week. Not when you feel ready. Today. Whatever’s uncertain in your life right now, take one step forward. Because when you do, courage takes root. And that changes everything.