You might notice our new banner design over here at Wanderlust and Lipstick. If our new theme was wear lipstick, I wouldn’t necessarily be writing about it. BUT, considering it’s BE BOLD, then, by all means, I’m on board!
Being bold can mean such different things to each of us. It could be speaking your mind when you usually hold your tongue. Or perhaps it’s wearing that bright red lipstick that you’ve owned for years but have never opened. Wikipedia defines boldness as the opposite of being fearful. You risk rejection and (gasp!) failure when you are bold. As females in particular we don’t like to fail, and we aren’t big fans of rejection, either. But let me tell you a secret; It actually feels pretty good to be bold. It remind you that you are alive. Here’s just a few ways that you can be bold in your life.
1. Don’t compromise.
Yep. You read it right. That’s a DON’T, not a Do. Compromising is for people who want all parties to be satisfied. In an age where it can seem to take forever to figure out what you want, why compromise and only get half? NO. Why don’t you stick to your guns, draw your line on the ground AND NOT BUDGE. It may take you longer to get what you want, but hey, in the end, you’ll have exactly what you were looking for, not to mention the newfound courage to remain true to yourself and to what you want.
2. Take chances.
Admit it-you don’t like to leave your comfort zone. Why would you? Besides being warm and cozy, it’s also easy. You can’t fail if you stay in your comfort zone. In the recently published book, The Confidence Code , anchorwoman Katty Kay and journalist Claire Shipman explore the topic of confidence and in one chapter, they note how women tend to underestimate their ability to succeed. We have to remember that not everything will go as planned, and when it doesn’t, it’s not a failure. It’s simply a learning opportunity.
3. Go somewhere you’ve never been before.
I know, I work as a tour leader and river guide, and this advice directly benefits me. Especially if you sign up for a tour that I’m leading. 🙂 But, your new destination doesn’t have to be Bhutan, Cuba or the Galapagos. It could be the new rock climbing gym down the street. Or a kizomba dance class. Maybe it’s the neighborhood across town that has supposedly the best farmers market. Seeing a new place is revitalizing and refreshing. Worse case scenario it’s boring/scary/uncomfortable/fill in blank, but I bet it’ll be memorable.
4. Say yes.
We have a gut reaction usually when decisions are put forth in front of us. Once we start weighing the pros and the cons, that initial feeling diminishes and becomes harder to listen to. Nine times out of ten the choice we make is the safe one. Next time you have a choice, I challenge you to be bold and say yes. Before you let the power of reason or the fear of the unknown stop you.
Adventure On,
Joslin
Climbing photo credit: Wia-Tirol