My Word for the Year is Courage

In a world increasingly celebrating “mindfulness” and “self-awareness,” it’s vital to remember that awareness is only the starting point. The distinction between self-possession and self-absorption is significant, and the line is easily blurred. Awareness alone is not enough.

Too often, we settle for being “good” when greatness is within reach. Jim Collins’ Good to Great has been widely read, but the lessons within it seem to remain aspirational rather than actionable. Comfort with being good has dulled our edge. Erasmus reminds us, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” but even success does not guarantee that we are the leaders our lives, teams, or companies need to thrive in a world that demands more than the status quo.

Nietzsche observed, “We only hear those questions for which we are in a position to find answers.” To truly grow, we must engage with questions that challenge our experiences and assumptions. What is required beyond awareness is courage.

• Courage to confront the demons you struggle with, to name and claim the habits sabotaging your growth.
• Courage to break free from comfort zones, surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking, make you feel uncertain, or expose you to unfamiliar perspectives.
• Courage to admit ignorance, to be the least informed person in the room, to embrace discomfort, and to acknowledge you don’t have all the answers.
• Courage to interrogate reality, saying, “I am limited by my awareness, and my awareness is incomplete.”

In a world of hyper-personalization, where algorithms curate “the world according to you,” we risk losing our tolerance for ideas that don’t align with our preferences. We avoid what feels foreign or inconvenient, but in doing so, we lose the ability to grow through external forces, friction, and humility.

Friction sharpens us. It humbles us. And perhaps it is humility — the courage to embrace our limitations and the unknown — that will be our greatest teacher. Let this be the year we stop settling for good and start striving for greatness through courage.

Here are some articles that I hope fortify your own quest for courage:

The 10 Sources of a Courageous Mindset (Psychology Today)

Courage is one of those qualities we deeply admire in others and hope to cultivate within ourselves. It’s what helps us push past fear and anxiety, allowing us to pursue meaningful goals and live more fully. Courage doesn’t come from one thing — it’s built from confidence, emotional self-regulation, authenticity, empathy, and the decision to act despite fear. Sometimes, the right circumstances bring it out in us, and leaning on supportive relationships makes it easier to face challenges. Like a muscle, courage grows with practice — small steps outside our comfort zone add up over time, helping us become stronger and more resilient.

The Stockdale Paradox (Big Think)

The Stockdale Paradox is a concept that was popularized by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great. It was named after James Stockdale, former vice-presidential candidate, naval officer, and Vietnam prisoner of war. The paradox describes the value and difficulty of striking a balance between realism and optimism.

The Change Curve ( ✨Amy Gurske, sayhii )

In today’s hyper-connected world, we’re constantly bombarded with new information and changes — sometimes by the minute. Thanks to social media and 24/7 access to news, it feels like we’re always in a state of flux. One minute, we’re hit with a breaking news story; the next, we’re scrolling through updates on a new industry trend or challenge. This constant flow of information keeps us on our toes, forcing us to process change almost hourly, whether we like it or not.

For business owners and professionals, this can be exhausting. We’re navigating more shifts than ever, and moving through these changes — mentally and emotionally — has become a skill we need just to keep up. The good news? Understanding the process of change can help us manage it better. That’s where the change curve comes in. It’s a simple framework that helps us recognize where we are on the emotional rollercoaster of change and how to keep moving forward.

Self-Determination Theory [ Center for Self-Determination Theory ]

I’m fortunate to live in Rochester, NY, where Professor Dr. Edward Deci introduced the world to Self-Determination Theory (SDT). At its core, SDT emphasizes that humans thrive when three basic needs are met: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy is about having the freedom to make choices aligned with our values, competence involves feeling effective in what we do, and relatedness stems from meaningful connections with others. These principles highlight the importance of intrinsic motivation — the drive that comes from within, rather than external rewards. When we honor these needs, we’re more likely to find the courage to face challenges and grow. Understanding SDT reminds us that courage often begins with the freedom to pursue what truly matters to us, the belief in our abilities, and the strength we gain from our relationships. It’s a powerful framework for cultivating resilience and living a fulfilling life.

Brave Leadership (Forbes)

A robotic revolution, trade wars, random acts of violence, and even the threat of chemical warfare — it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling anxious. And it’s no wonder the term ‘VUCA’ — volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous — feels like the perfect description of the times we’re living in.

It’s human nature to retreat in moments like this, to play it safe and avoid risk. Fear has a way of keeping us stuck, convincing us to hold back when what we need most is the courage to move forward. But here’s the truth: even if you don’t think of yourself as a leader, you are one. Every action you take — or don’t take — sets an example for someone around you.

Now, more than ever, we need courage. The kind of courage that helps us see clearly through uncertainty, that challenges us to work together toward something greater, and that acknowledges what isn’t working without tearing others down. It’s the kind of courage that invites fresh ideas, embraces humanity, and reminds us that each of us, in our own way, has the power to inspire others.

A Treasure Trove of Insight (The Marginalian)

At some point, it hits you — no one else can teach you how to live your own life. Not your parents, not your role models, not the philosophers or poets, your education, therapy, or even your faith. All of those can guide and inspire, but ultimately, it’s up to you. You carve out your path by moving forward, step by step, under the canopy of your own unique awareness. That awareness, your singular consciousness, is a one-of-a-kind miracle — unrepeatable in the vast expanse of history and the universe. And no matter how hard you try, no one else can fully understand or articulate it but you.

It takes real commitment to remain open to contrary evidence, to cultivate self-awareness, to explore the shadows of our own thinking, and to nurture a love for learning that keeps us resilient and adaptable in today’s complex world. My wish for you in the coming year is the courage to carve out time and create meaningful rituals that sustain your awareness and energy. These practices can help you face reality with clarity and respond with courage, no matter what challenges come your way.

Here’s to a year filled with growth, purpose, and bold action. Happy New Year!

Love and Light,

Jennifer #a3r

PS: Here is my talk “Communication As Competitive Advantage” given at #DevFest24

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