People often misunderstand courage.

I misunderstood it for years. I used to think it was something you either had or didn’t, that brave people felt strong and certain before taking a leap, while the rest of us waited until we were “ready.” But I’ve learned that courage feels nothing like confidence. It doesn’t feel good. It doesn’t feel empowering. It feels terrifying. It feels like doubt. It feels like standing at the edge of something bigger than you, with every instinct telling you to turn back.

The first time I took a real risk in my career, I thought I had made a mistake. My heart pounded, my hands shook, and I kept asking myself, Who do you think you are? Every cell in my body wanted to retreat. And for a long time, I thought that feeling meant I wasn’t ready. But the truth is, that’s exactly what courage is supposed to feel like.

We all wait to feel prepared, to feel certain, to feel like the fear has subsided. But that moment never comes. The people who start businesses, speak up, make big changes – they aren’t fearless. They’re just as scared as the rest of us. The difference is, they don’t let fear decide for them.

I’ve seen this in every aspect of life. The student who hesitates before sharing their idea, afraid of looking foolish. The professional who stays in a comfortable role, even though they know they’re capable of more. The person who holds back from telling someone how they really feel, just in case the answer isn’t what they hope. We all experience these moments. And in each one, courage asks the same thing: Will you act, even though you’re afraid?

Courage isn’t a feeling – it’s a choice. It’s stepping into the unknown, even when you’re full of doubt. It’s trusting that the discomfort means you’re on the right track. It’s knowing that failure is possible and moving forward anyway.

Every time I’ve taken a risk that mattered, fear has been right there beside me. I don’t think that ever goes away. But I’ve also learned something else: once you start choosing courage, it gets harder to go back. The fear doesn’t disappear, but the hesitation does. You realize that most of the things you were afraid of weren’t as bad as you imagined. And eventually, you stop waiting to feel ready – you just start moving.

So if you’re standing at the edge of something right now, feeling that familiar knot in your stomach, second-guessing yourself, wondering if you’re ready – I see you. And I’ll tell you what I wish someone had told me: If it feels scary, it means you’re doing something that matters. If it weren’t uncomfortable, it wouldn’t require courage at all.

So take a deep breath, and take the step. Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means go.

Author Bio

Manu Sharma is a strategy advisor, educator, and community builder based in Ottawa. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and social impact, he helps individuals and organizations grow with purpose and integrity. His work draws on a deep interest in strategy, identity, values, growth, design, and systems – and a steady belief in our shared humanity. Manu teaches entrepreneurship and design thinking, and is passionate about intergenerational connection, cultural storytelling, and reimagining what we owe each other. He writes about life, leadership, and the invisible forces that shape what we build – and who we become.