“Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.” This is the special Olympics athlete oath. And I want it to be my oath too.

Let’s talk about what it means to be brave. One definition is “to endure or face unpleasant conditions without fear.” In fact, the Spanish origin of brave comes from the word bravo which means courageous, untamed, or savage.  

This definition doesn’t sit well with me. It makes it sound like only the reckless are brave.

If a person is fearless, are they really brave? If you’re not afraid, then why would you even need to be brave?

I don’t believe that being brave means you have no fear. I always tell my children that it’s okay for them to be afraid, and when they do the thing they’re scared of anyway: that’s called being brave.

For many, building a business comes with a multitude a fears. Do I really know what I’m doing? Will people like what I have to offer? Am I capable of figuring this out? What if I fail? What if I succeed beyond my imagination? What if I lose money or can’t balance my family life?

These fears are a completely normal part of learning, growing and building something new. Just because we have those fears doesn’t mean we aren’t brave. When we make a decision to do it scared— to be afraid, but move forward anyway— that is when I believe we are being authentically brave.

When fear enters your brain, allow it, and let it know it can come along for the ride— in the passenger seat. You’ll do the driving because you choose to do all the things, scared.

Because you are brave.

“Let me win, but if I cannot win let me brave in the attempt.”