Bravery does not begin with boldness. It begins with attention. Preparing to act with courage, Seekers benefit from seeing what is actually happening inside themselves and in the room around them. They can pause between stimulus and response, observe fear without becoming it, and feel the weight of a difficult moment without being crushed by it. The Consciousness Pathway is an important part of a well-calibrated Courage GPS.

Consciousness is a fundamental capacity for self-observation. It includes the ability to notice one’s own thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations from a slight distance without immediately being swept away by them. It is what allows Seekers to say to themselves in the middle of frightening moments I notice I am afraid and still choose what to do next.

Keepers help Seekers find the present moment, grounding them in what is actually happening rather than what fear is predicting. They help Seekers move through difficult emotions rather than being stopped by them. They also help Seekers savor courageous action, building the capacity to stay awake to their own courage not only after a brave act but during and even before it.

Amy Baltzell is a leading researcher and thought influencer at the intersection of mindfulness and elite performance. In her work, she emphasizes the importance of present-moment attention as a key element for performance optimization. Focusing attention on the right things at the right time is essential, rather than being distracted by the desire for perfection. She has found that paying attention does not guarantee a fully energized state of focus, but it can be an important element of success. Attention to the right things helps the Seeker navigate negative emotions. Fear will not disappear. What makes the difference is learning to accept it and then shifting attention to what will optimize performance. Focusing attention on the right things from moment to moment gives Seekers the best possible chance to perform at their top level on a given day. It is important to plan where to place attention prior to competing.

Baltzell describes attention as a laser-like light. She also thinks of it as a lighthouse. Instead of creating a fixed point of light in the water, it moves the light around to aid a ship or swimmer navigate, especially when conditions are rough. The light does not calm the sea. It provides awareness of what needs attention in order to make good moment-to-moment decisions. Acceptance of what is happening in the moment, including a breath, a physical sensation, and the actual words of a request, is an effective way to handle fear.

This is an excerpt from Courage Keepers: A Guide to Brave Leadership and Inspiring Bold Action in Others, launching this September.