Courage

What Makes Me Scared Is Scared

1 Comment / Courage /

When we were asked to write a bio in the AJC School, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and fear—because this wasn’t just about crafting a typical paragraph or two. This exercise was an invitation to truly stand for who I am and what I do. It became an opportunity to write about myself and my work as an act of self-love, a chance to be bold and unapologetic. It’s easy to downplay our accomplishments when talking about ourselves, but this was no time for playing small. This was about fully stepping into who we are, embracing the courage it takes to honor our journey. Today, I feel nudged to share my bio with you. And as I do, my request is that you hear this bio as if it’s about you. If you think, “Wow, Farah is amazing,” then yes—I am. But so are you. The courage and certainty I have in speaking these words? That’s available to you too. There’s nothing I can do that you can’t also do. So, as you listen, ask yourself: ✔️ Who would I need to be to live a life of courage? ✔️ Who would I need to be to fully love myself and my life? ✔️ Who would I need to be to know, without a doubt, that my life makes a huge difference in this world? If ever there was a time to be the author of our own lives, it is now—a time to focus on our dreams, gain clarity on what we truly love, and invite freedom. Tony Robbins once said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” My moment was declaring my freedom. So, here’s my invitation to you… Take a moment to write your own bio—not as a list of accomplishments, but as a bold declaration of who you are and what you stand for. Share a line or two in the comments or simply write it for yourself as an act of self-love and courage. Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

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#COURAGEreframe

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Over the past few weeks, I invited members in my Courage Unlimited Community to an exploration challenge… To uncover our fears! They shared what “FEAR” means to them, with some constraints. Share in one sentence. Every sentence must start with “For me…” Each sentence can have a maximum of 12 words. Even if someone has expressed your idea, share it anyway What emerged was a profound realization… It is better to speak it out than bounce it in our heads. Fear cannot survive in the light. From this exploration, we identified several themes: Fear of limiting ourselves and not reaching our full potential. Fear of being judged or not being enough for others. Fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what’s ahead. Fear of stagnation and staying in our comfort zone. Fear of loss—of loved ones. Fear of vulnerability and feeling exposed. But what if fear isn’t just something to run from? What if fear is also an invitation? In Hebrew, there is a concept called yirah. Yirah can mean fear, but it also means awe, reverence, and standing on the threshold of something vast and unknown—something that has the potential to inspire, awaken, and transform us. What if fear is a doorway, not just an obstacle? What if we could embrace yirah and let it guide us toward deeper growth and wisdom? This is what I am embracing — a reframe that allows me to meet fear not with dread, but with curiosity, respect, and the understanding that it’s guiding me toward something meaningful. Fear cannot survive in the light! What does fear mean for you? Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

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What Is Your Train Ride?

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Train Ride, Train

This is the backstory… For a long time, I believed that the most significant moment of my life was in 2006 when I made the BIG decision of my life. I decided to step away from a life that wasn’t serving me and start my life from scratch. I was scared as I had to reimagine everything and take a leap of faith without any clue of what was ahead of me. I found myself wanting to live with a greater sense of freedom to express my voice and create my dreams boldly. Yet, I found myself in a prison of my own thinking and kept feeling stuck and helpless for years after that big decision. One day, I decided to book a trip to Mysore, a 2-hour train ride from my city. It costed almost nothing, and it is a choice you could make easily, anytime. Not for me! This train ride changed my life. It helped me step out of my fears and my own prison and step into believing in myself and creating new possibilities. This 2-hour train ride felt like a leap. I felt free as I let go who I thought I was and stepped into who I create myself to be. This was my moment of playing BIG and it has made a massive difference to my life. This train ride was my ticket to freedom – from my inner fears and self-doubt. “Playing big is being more loyal to your dreams, not your fears.”  – Tara Mohr I began to make this the focus of my work, and my executive coaching practice became a kind of laboratory to discover: what really made the biggest difference in helping us be courageous, to fear less and to live our dreams? What is one small step that will take you closer to your dreams and calling? What is your train ride? This is why I was inspired to start a group coaching program, Courage To Soar, to create a space that is a portal to freedom, to allow individuals to play big in their lives and career, and to guide them to head in the direction of discomfort. If you would like to be on the list for the next offering, please book a call here. Remember, only YOU can discern what playing big looks like for you. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know what reimagining really means, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

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What is Playing BIG?

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Courage to soar - playing big 2024

Since I began to explore this idea of playing bigger in my life and my business, I have been having inspiring conversations with my coach, clients, peers, and friends. What I realized is that for some, the idea of playing bigger feels like a passion, a calling. They are committed to “playing bigger” in their lives and careers and making an even bigger difference in their companies, their communities, or the world. They are tired of settling for a life of waiting, hiding, or holding back. For others, “playing big” feels like it’s yet another way to add more on their already full plate. Let me tell you what “playing big” means to me. Honouring my authentic dreams and callings as an inspirational female leader – navigating all the inner and outer challenges so that I can boldly create a life I yearn for. Despite the fears and self-doubt! Letting my ideas, creativity and action flow naturally in my life and work. This is energising, never exhausting. I am not doing more or pressuring myself. Taking one small courageous step to break free from self-doubt. And choosing to wake up to my power and my potential. What I believe is that only YOU can discern what playing big looks like for you. Let me share a secret – playing small is draining! What does ‘playing BIG’ mean to you? What’s one specific way you’re ready to start playing bigger in your life? I am diving deep in the work of Tara Mohr and playing BIG, and what does it mean to be a woman in business. I believe the magic lies in defining your own version of playing big that’s energizing rather than exhausting. Over to YOU… What is your version of playing BIG? Leave a comment below. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

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