You are bold.  You have a bold nature.

You may tell yourself “I’m shy” or “that’s not my personality” but I’m here to call you out on that.

When you were a 2 year old, did you have a hard time demanding a sucker or popsicle from your Mom or Dad?  Did you feel “out of the box” while you were having a temper tantrum for that cookie after dinner?  Nope, you were comfortable in your boldness because you were born with it.  Somewhere along the lines, you may have lost it but time to tap in.

I have a 4 year old, and here are a few things I’ve written down of his recent BOLD requests:

“I don’t need a bath, I’ll take a shower in the morning”

“I would REALLY like a Taco Salad from Vannelli’s now”

“Boy, it’s a nice night to race cars” 

Mr. persuasion is what he is.  And he’s good at it!

So, do you believe the saying “Fortune Favors the BOLD -by Emily Dickinson?”  I do.  I believe boldness is innate and even as we grow older and go through life experiences, boldness becomes the OFFSPRING of commitment.  Something you are resolute in.

Read the following quote by William Hutchinson Murray:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is on e elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.  All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise occurred.  A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have reamed would have come his way.  Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.  Begin it now.”

Here are some ways to tap into your bold genius:

Use your imagination.  Allow yourself to day dream and be creative.  Paint a picture, bake, re-decorate a room in your house…etc.  These things may seem counter-productive to increasing boldness but when you urge your mind to rest in creativity, you come up with some pretty bold ideas.  Try it!

Have child-like faith.  Take time to reflect on the things you pondered as a child.  You were born with ideas and special ways about you.  If someone in your life squashed it by saying or doing something stupid, take it back by writing it down and re-ignite it.

Be curious.  Educate yourself by investing in you.  Attend events, read books, go to seminars.  Never stop learning and being hungry for knowledge.

Take Action.  It’s better to take bold action and have it be a mistake, than to take no action at all.  Mistakes lead to better ways of doing things and action fuels BOLD confidence.

Evaluate your Commitment.  Take inventory of the ways you feed your commitment.  How often and in what ways are you placing your it a priority?

Finally, how often do you do things afraid?  Start keeping track of your progress and share it with others!  Before you know it, you will be a lean, mean, BOLD & committed fighting machine.

How do you exercise your boldness?  Comment below!

-Molly