Steps to Foster Vulnerability and Courage

Who knows your deepest secrets? Is it your friend, significant other, sibling(s) parent(s) or other family members?

Think about the people in your life who are closest to you? There is a reason these individuals (or individual) is close to you, values you and the relationships have grown.

Why? Because you were vulnerable.

You had the courage to share information about yourself. You risked opening yourself up to their judgment or even scaring them off.

Recently, I attended a 3-day seminar organized by Team Johnson & CEO Chalene Johnson (Motivational speaker, New York Times Best Selling author, and fitness celebrity): SMART Success Live! There are so many things I learned, but one huge takeaway for me personally was that we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable to truly connect with others.

When we have the courage to be vulnerable we come down from the pedestal of false perfection and allow others to see that we share their struggles, we are human too. This vulnerability, this truth fosters connection with people. When you connect, you develop trust. When you have trust the lines of communication open up for growth and guidance!

Every speaker at this event showed their vulnerability, their courage; they inspired us and helped us grow and learn by sharing the gift of their story – For this I am truly grateful. Thank you all for your vulnerability your courage you all inspire us to live our lives with truth and valor. 

When we put ourselves out there without expectation or guarantees, Dr. Brené Brown researcher who studies the benefits of vulnerability says, our vulnerability becomes “…the birthplace of joy, of creativity, of belonging, of love.”

Dr. Brené Brown‘s TED Talk “The Power of Vulnerability” (20 minutes): http://beingtrulypresent.com/the-gift-of-vulnerability/#sthash.kUuye8pL.dpuf

4 Steps to Foster Vulnerability and Courage

Being vulnerable is easier said than done right?! According to Dr. Brown the easiest place to start is simply being aware: Mindfulness.

1. Remember that vulnerability requires courage. Start slowly (small steps) and commend yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone.
2. Try and omit your worry regarding the judgment of others. At the end of the day most people are worried about their own issues not yours.
3. Focus on slow deep breaths. Treading new waters and exposing yourself at the same time can trigger anxiety. Attention to our breath will help ease the stress to accomplish your task.
4. Don’t even think about being perfect – really! Remember that no one is perfect and the pressure of trying to appear so is like carrying unnecessary weigh on your shoulders.

Vulnerability fosters honesty that is needed for strengthening communication and connections in relationships.  

Now go into the world and inspire others by communicating your vulnerability, your courage!

Smart Success Seminar Information & Speakers:

Smart Success http://www.chalenejohnson.com/

Chalene Johnson  http://www.chalenejohnson.com/about-chalene-johnson/

Bret Johnson http://www.chalenejohnson.com/bret-johnson/

Dr. Mcayla Sarno http://drmcayla.com/

Bo Eason http://www.boeason.com/

Aaron S. Young www.linkedin.com/in/aaronscottyoung

Book Recommendation:

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Dr. Brene Brown  http://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592407331

Images:

   Mottl, Diane (2013) The Gift of Vulnerability. Retrieved from http://beingtrulypresent.com/the-gift-of-vulnerability/