Although I do not profess to be a dictionary nor do I know anyone named Webster, it seems to me that the word “encouragement” means more than to just support.

I’ve heard the word “courage” defined as: “acting in spite of fear.”  Instead of being fearless, the courageous one may be afraid but she doesn’t let it stop her.

  Taking a certification exam when you are afraid of failing is one way to be courageous.  The Encarta dictionary describes courage as the “quality of being brave.” 

I’m not sure that anyone taking the certification exam would consider themselves “brave,” but she is “acting in spite of fear.”  Either way, she is not letting fear control her. 

It has been said that F.E.A.R. is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real.  In other words, you are interpreting the situation as being dangerous, difficult, uncertain, or painful. 

Another person might interpret the same situation as being enjoyable or exhilarating.   

Taking a certification exam is probably not enjoyable, but many people will interpret it as merely inconvenient instead of being difficult, uncertain, or painful.    

The key is that most of the fears that keep you from achieving your dreams are “false evidence.”  

The prefix “en” means “to put into” or “to cause to be.”  To “encourage” could be defined as “to cause to act in spite of fear.”  

Please take note of the fact than it says “to cause to act;” not simply to support. 

So with my definition of “encourage,” you would have to go beyond simply being nice and supportive; instead you would have to provide sufficient amounts of inspiration, motivation, and support to cause the other person to act.

Words alone will probably not inspire a sufficient amount of courage to act in the face of fear; but your actions often can. 

When you act in spite of fear it inspires others to do so; and when they see how much you have changed as a result of acting with courage it motivates others too.

Recently I was told of this story. Mary, a 74 year-old critical care nurse, studied for the CCRN, took the test, and passed it! 

Even though she was planning to retire at 75, Mary wanted to be a role-model for the other nurses in her unit.

Mary was afraid that she would not pass the exam, but she acted anyway because her desire to make a difference and inspire others became more important to her than her fear. 

In other words, she acted in spite of fear so that she could encourage (cause to act in spite of fear) her co-workers. 

What’s holding you back?  Is it the False Evidence Appearing Real; or is it the lack of a desire to make a difference? 

When you act in spite of fear and display courage it inspires others to do so too. 

What have you accomplished that you can share with others to “encourage” them to act in spite of their fear so that they can make a difference?

"The only opinion about your dream that really counts is yours. The negative comments of others merely reflect their limitations - not yours."  -Cynthia Kersey, Author of Unstoppable Themselves

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