Written by Jen Hamilton, Conscious-Life Coach
Jen Hamilton is a renowned Conscious-Life Coach specialising in clinical hypnotherapy, past life regression therapy, NLP and empowerment events. As a number one best selling author, the host of the enLIFEned podcast, she inspires others to achieve liberation, fulfillment, and pleasure through deep inner transformation and awakening.
Have you ever met anyone in their old age on their deathbed who said, ‘Wow I’m really glad I’ve done so little with my life, I am thrilled I took fewer chances and played it safe because I really enjoyed my comfort zone and a mediocre life’? No? me neither!
Life doesn’t always have to be adrenaline-filled, living on the edge, bungee jumping, and skydiving (for some like myself, maybe it does!), but it should involve a willingness to take bold moves and surprisingly daring actions every so often, as it promotes personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.
The path to fulfilment will always involve following what you’re passionate about, doing the things that scare you just a little and having a mindset that focuses on the best-case scenario or positive outcome.
So what does it truly mean to be audacious?
Whilst being audacious can be associated with being reckless, brazen, and overly adventurous, someone who is audacious is bold, fearless, and unapologetically daring. They possess a strong sense of self-confidence and are unafraid to take risks, even in the face of uncertainty or potential failure. They are visionaries who dare to dream big and act on those dreams, inspiring others with their courage and willingness to venture into the unknown. Someone who is audacious maintains a resilient mindset despite the potential for setbacks and keeps their focus on the possibilities and positive outcomes that their bold actions might create.
The role of fear holding us back
Fear is a funny one because whilst it's a normal response that can be triggered by a legitimate danger or when we are genuinely frightened, the fear we can experience on a day-to-day basis is whispers of doubt that keep us tethered to the familiar even when we are deeply yearning for more. It’s a powerful force that can hold us back and stifle our potential and often stems from a desire for safety and the avoidance of failure. Overcoming fear is not about eliminating it entirely, but recognizing it's a natural part of the growth process and teaches us that when we can push through it, we unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and open more doors to an incredible life.
Practical steps to cultivate audacity
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at living life by throwing caution to the wind, or you’ve set up camp in your comfort zone and played it safe thus far, adding a splash of audaciousness to your life can pretty much guarantee you’ll meet a new version of yourself that is swirling with confidence and oozing with courage, or at the very least you’ll have a cool story tell!
Always begin small with intentional steps that gradually build your confidence and tolerance for ambiguity before you take big leaps. Start by asking yourself what you can do daily to challenge yourself, say yes to opportunities that make you slightly uncomfortable, try something new that excites you and scares you at the same time, and start to use your voice in situations where you may usually stay silent. Also, hold a sense of curiosity and experimentation and view risks as learning experiences rather than potential failures. Once you grow more comfortable with the smaller things, you can start to make bigger and bolder moves, which could include pursuing a passion project, changing careers, moving interstate, voicing your feelings that you’d kept tucked away for fear of rejection, or even jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane with a parachute! The key is consistency and celebration, when you do the small things that you say you’re going to do, celebrate yourself for pushing through the barriers that may have once held you back.
The long-term benefits of living audaciously
By living audaciously, you can experience profound and long-term benefits that ripple through every aspect of your life. You will notice that by building a strong foundation of self-confidence, believing in yourself, embracing boldness and recognising the courage you have inside of you will deepen your sense of purpose, as you align your actions with your true desires and values, rather than a life dictated by fear or convention. Over time you’ll build resilience and feel empowered to navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination, bringing you closer to your highest potential and true passions.
Think about a big, bold move you can make in your life - something that scares you and excites you. Ask yourself, ‘Where has fear tried to hold me back in the past?’ then ask yourself, ‘Who will I be on the other side of making this bold move?’. In the words of Susan Jeffers, Ph. D. (1938-2012) ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ because at the end of the day, you likely have more to gain and less to lose. Focus on what can go right for you, how you can improve yourself, the growth that can come from this, and of course, the cool story you’ll get to tell afterward.
So go on, be the person who had the audacity and just went for it!
Read more from Jen Hamilton
Jen Hamilton, Conscious-Life Coach
Jen Hamilton is a conscious-life coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and women’s empowerment mentor dedicated to empowering people to awaken their inner alchemy. Her mission is to help people discover their inner world so their outer world reflects their true selves. Jen's work combines science-driven techniques and spirituality, creating a powerful synergy that initiates deep transformation, fostering self-love, and guiding people to a purpose-driven life filled with fulfilment and growth.
