The Ten Times Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

16. Demonstrate Courage
Courage is that quality of mind or spirit that compels people to face dangerous
situations in spite of fear. It's rare that people feel or are described as courageous
before the event that compels them to act in this way. Rather, they're referred to
as such as a result of taking action regardless of their fears. Soldiers and heroes
never refer to themselves as brave before they endure hardships. As far as they're
concerned, they're just doing what they have to do at that moment.
You'll often notice that successful people carry themselves with an air of
confidence and conviction, a sense of comfort, and maybe even a touch of
arrogance. Before you start thinking that they are somehow inherently
“different,” you should understand that they acquired these qualities as a result
of taking action. The more frequently you can do things that scare you a bit, the
more others will label you as courageous—and then gravitate toward you.
Courage comes to those who act, not to those who think, wait, and wonder. The
only way to hone this trait is by taking action. Although you can train to increase
your skills and your confidence, courage is only attained by 
doing
—especially
doing things that you fear. Who wants to do business with or support someone
who readily gives in to his or her fears? Who wants to invest in a project when
the people behind it don't act with confidence and courage?
I was recently interviewed by someone who asked me, “Does 
nothing
scare
you?” The question surprised me because I know that I experience fear. I
suppose that it must appear that I am not scared because I deliver fourth degree
actions—and you can certainly do the same. Attack, dominate, and keep your
attention on the future, and then continue to repeat your actions—and your
courage will grow. Do things that scare you more frequently, and they will
slowly begin to scare you a bit less—until they become so habitual that you
wonder why you ever feared them in the first place!