How to Be More Courageous

89 people had breakthroughs this week. Will the next one be you?

Two things for you to think about

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity, and deciding that something else is more important.

Courage is not the product of will or effort, but rather the result of priorities. We will gladly suffer for what we care about.

Three things for you to ask yourself

What in your life is more important than your fear? Is that an easy or hard question to answer? Why?

One thing for you to try this week

Confront a fear by finding a reason to. Then tell me how it goes.

New This Week

Podcast: Lessons on Money, Success, and Fulfillment You Need to Hear (ft. Lewis Howes)

Lewis Howes is one of the most successful podcasters of all time—12 years, nearly 1,800 episodes, and countless interviews with world-class performers. But what’s even more interesting is how his definition of success has evolved over the years. In this latest podcast episode, Lewis opens up about shifting from a hyper-competitive, “be number one” mentality to a more collaborative, impact-driven approach.

We also dive into emotional regulation, the surprising ways our relationship with money affects our lives, and why most people either idolize or demonize wealth. Oh, and Lewis casually mentions he’s training to compete in the Olympics in his 40s. No big deal. This episode is packed with insights on what it really means to live a fulfilling, abundant life—without losing your mind in the process. Check it out.

Last week’s breakthroughs

In last week’s newsletter, I asked you to find a healthier way to fulfill one of your needs.

Andrea is two months ahead of me:

I’ve been on a social media hiatus for the past 50 days and I’m just now getting to the point where I don’t *crave* going on Instagram to experience connection and entertainment.

I still have moments where I really want to get off my computer and do something fun for five minutes but that’s not scrolling IG anymore.

I realize that I’ve been using it as a crutch for a lot of things:

• to numb emotions and comfort myself in times of stress
• to feel connected and social
• to get a little ‘eye candy’ entertainment as a break from work

Now I actually manage my emotions in real time, get outside and observe nature for ‘entertainment’ and engage with real friends when I crave connection.

Oh, as a huge plus I also haven’t experienced crippling loneliness, which used to lead to frequent breakdowns this past year.

Turns out answering the actual needs removes the need for crutches and I definitely recommend tuning into the ‘needs’ that feed distraction (like scrolling on IG).

Our next reader has been working on meeting their needs within relationships:

This newsletter came at a perfect time. I’ve always been the ‘relationship type’ and have been in and out of long-term relationships for the majority of my adult life. The times I’ve been single I am able to do the things that fulfill my needs, things that are separate from my partner and uniquely mine. But, when I feel committed and invested in a relationship and person I love, it’s natural for me to give too much of myself and I end up sabotaging the relationship because I blame my partner for not meeting my needs.

My current relationship is wonderful but challenges me often which is something I really appreciate but has been hard at times. I did the thing where I gave too much of myself again and realized how awful it made me feel and how I was so anxious all the time and everything my partner did or said dictated how I felt. I’ve been afraid of doing the things I care about like working out or meeting up with my friends because I worry my partner will pull away.

But to my surprise, each time I’ve chosen the thing that meets my needs, my partner has shown up kinder and more affectionate and loving and that gives me courage to keep doing these things for myself. I remind myself that when I feel good, I can show up as my best self not only for myself but for everyone that is close to me and that makes it better for everyone. Thanks again for the reminder.

To end, not a breakthrough but the first poem I’ve ever received in reply to a newsletter, and I couldn’t resist. Here’s Jam:

You reach for hands, for arms to hold,
A presence warm, a love untold.
But love’s not stitched in flesh or name,
It’s in the way it lights your flame.

You chase the grind, the weight of pay,
Stacking hours to keep at bay
The fear that whispers, cold and sure—
Yet wealth is not what makes you secure.

You crave the gaze, the fleeting prize,
The mirror’s truth, the world’s disguise.
But beauty fades, and fame will wane,
What lasts is feeling seen, not vain.

So pause, step back, unbind your mind,
From hollow things you’ve been assigned.
Your heart knows best what’s truly real—
Not what you own, but what you feel.

As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

Until next week,

Mark Manson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
My Website – My Books – My YouTube Channel – My Podcast