Rarely do people admit they want to do something timidly.  Most people I know, talk to, and work with in the areas of sports, business, and life want to do things in a bold way.  They want to dream big dreams and accomplish incredible goals.  I have never heard someone say, “You know, when I do my work or compete in my match, I just want to be timid today.”

Yet, if we are truly honest with ourselves, there are areas of life and moments in time when we become fearful and timid versus fearless and bold.  We don’t say it, but we show it through our lives and the approach we take to solve an issue or accomplish a goal.  What does this look like?

• We don’t pursue the goal that has been calling out to us all of our lives.

• We fail to have a conversation with someone who desperately needs our counsel and encouragement.

• We halfheartedly live what we truly believe.

• We become complacent and fail to nurture our talent.

• We neglect our opportunities through procrastination and passiveness.

• We get to a place where we go through the motions and just don’t care.

Bold means “not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff.”  (Dictionary.com)  The “danger” or “rebuff” that most of us face in our lives involves fear of failure or rejection.  Due to our unwillingness to commit to a process regardless of results, we become timid and, therefore, create a self-fulfilling prophecy of defeat.  Our lack of boldness creates the outcome we least desire, and we are frustrated in the process.

Boldness comes from trusting our instincts and doing everything we can to deliver the outcome we want.  Champions in any area of life are not controlled by the outcome; they commit to the very things that lead to the outcome.  They are purpose-driven and process-focused.  The results and outcome are a by-product of the way they approach the task.  They are not fearful of failure and know that it is a part of the process that leads to growth.

[shareable cite=”Mike Van Hoozer” text=”Champions in any area of life are not controlled by the outcome; they commit to the very things that lead to the outcome.”]Champions in any area of life are not controlled by the outcome; they commit to the very things that lead to the outcome. They are purpose-driven and process-focused[/shareable]

[shareable cite=”Mike Van Hoozer”]Being bold involves trusting your instincts and abilities, letting go of the outcomes, and focusing on the process.[/shareable]

For me, I know there are areas where I need to be bolder.  There are ideas and projects I have been talking about for years and have not created them.  As a father of five boys, there are things that I used to do or have said that I will do that I have not.  There are times when I have passively sat by and not been bolder in passing on a word of insight to them about an issue or truly taken the time to teach a life lesson.  It’s not that I want to be passive or timid or that I do this all the time, but I let it creep into my life and suck the life out of a great opportunity and moment.

As you think about your life, your opportunities, and your sphere of influence, take time to truly assess if there are areas of your life where you are being timid versus bold.  Be honest with yourself, and make it a goal to become bolder in the way you live and the way you lead and influence others.  Don’t submit to the tyranny of timidity thereby surrendering your opportunity to make a positive difference when it means the most!

[reminder]What are some ways that timidity shows up in your life? How can you be more bold?[/reminder]