Note: In The School of Bravery we use the words "courage" and "bravery" as equal, interchangeable synonyms. Though they have different historical origins and, at times, varying uses within our culture today, both words ultimately refer to the same concepts that we teach in our curriculum.
- Now, more than ever, we need more bravery in the world. Someone out there is waiting for your bravery, your big idea, your dream…
- The biggest feats of bravery are often unseen, hidden from the public eye. True bravery doesn’t look like we think it does.
- Heroes are not born; they are grown. Bravery is a nurtured skill; it is not hereditary, nor an innate talent.
- Bravery is worth it, needed, and contagious. These are the 3 reasons why people do brave things.
- There are 3 kinds of bravery: internal (witnessed only by yourself), external (with more than one witness), resonant (acts that inspire bravery in others).
- There are 12 ingredients of bravery. Each feat of bravery will require a slightly different recipe using these same 12 ingredients. When we can practice the recipe, then accomplishing each feat of bravery will steadily feel easier as we get more experience using the recipe. Understanding this recipe can turn our fear into a life filled with creative courage.
- The world is waiting for your uniquely individual bravery. Your uniqueness is how your bravery is found by those who need it. Every piece of your individual personhood contributes to making your bravery the exact thing someone else in the world needs. There is no such thing as generic bravery. Each journey to building bravery is unique.
- "Fearless" is a dangerous myth. Fear is a good thing. Fear is to be respected, honored, and used. Believing otherwise will put an individual, organization, family, creative project, or an entire society at unnecessary risk of making less-than-ideal or perhaps deadly decisions.
- The agony of courage is overrated. Bravery does not require martyrdom. Not all heroes are martyrs and not all martyrs are heroes. Bravery is not equivalent to agony, burnout, pain, or throwing yourself under a bus. Life is hard enough as it is!
- Bravery can feel easier. We practice building bravery today, so that it feels easier tomorrow. It is possible to use your fear to get what you want for yourself, for others, for the world. Using fear with joy, ease, and pleasure can unlock our deepest desires. Using fear can empower us to do things we never thought were possible. We’ve seen it happen time and time again with each of our students.
- Building bravery is easiest when we are our most whole selves. We can make the world a better place with honesty, compassion, and generosity. Bravery asks that we create space for the realities of life and community. Instead of regurgitating trends and expectations from our respective corners of the world, we structure our bravery practices around our values as humans and as citizens of the world. As Dr. Shinichi Suzuki said, "First character, then ability."
- The place where you build bravery should feel like a soft place to land. Safe places are wonderful environments for encountering new (and old) learning curves. Practically speaking at The School of Bravery, all of this happens online through group coaching, classes, office hours, and other community events by by joining forces to focus on 1 ingredient of bravery each month.
- Anyone can learn how to build their bravery -- The School of Bravery is committed to holding safe and compassionate spaces for anyone who wish to join us in the daily practice of building bravery. Our world is not perfect. We are not perfect either, which is why everyone's bravery is so necessary. The School of Bravery is actively trying to dismantle systems of oppression. We want our community to reflect inclusion for ANYONE, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal history, or political views.
- Note: Our current systems of inclusion are providing audio and video replays of all group events, honoring privacy, facilitating group discussions with inclusivity, and, of course, trauma-informed coaching and events. We have an ongoing commitment to increase this list of inclusive systems. If something else would make your time with us feel more like home, please let us know. We welcome additional requests for accommodations.
- Note: Our current systems of inclusion are providing audio and video replays of all group events, honoring privacy, facilitating group discussions with inclusivity, and, of course, trauma-informed coaching and events. We have an ongoing commitment to increase this list of inclusive systems. If something else would make your time with us feel more like home, please let us know. We welcome additional requests for accommodations.
- Building bravery makes us strong, sustainable, and resilient. One of our students, Carla Gover, put it beautifully...
“It is our defiant expectation that we will emerge from this new world... with greater financial stability and well-being than ever before.”
Again, if any of this resonates with you and you're looking for accountability, support, and advice for building bravery in your work or business, consider this your personal invitation to...