COURAGE – When You Choose Yourself

It was the autumn of 2024, and I found myself at a crossroads. On the outside, it was “just” a career decision. In reality, it was one of the most personal and transformative turning points of my life. On one side, there was the path of staying in a multinational company—career progression, my own team, and development in a new field. On the other, the option to accept a redundancy due to organizational restructuring (see My Story), face the uncertainty head-on, and step into the unknown… with a chance to finally pursue my dream job – maybe even my calling.

But before I got to that point, I went through a personal trial.
One that tested my courage. And that’s the story I’d love to share with you today. Because I believe it captures so much of what we all go through at certain points in life – doubt, fear, intuition, decisions, and the courage it takes to move forward.

The Interview

The company had been undergoing a restructuring since early summer 2024, and it was clear my position would eventually be cut. Still, the leadership had a few ideas for my future in the company. One sunny summer day, I got a call from HR. They offered me the opportunity to apply for a position as Supply Chain Operations Lead for Hungary and the Balkans.
They sent me the job description and asked if I’d be open to an interview. Apparently, I was seen as a “hot candidate.” Promising. Capable. It was a prestigious position with significant responsibility.

I gave myself a day to think it over. And here’s what I asked myself:

• Do I have the skills and experience to manage a team of 22 people?
• Do I even believe in the new strategy the company is pushing through – one that involves mass layoffs and a radically different structure?
• Is this what I want for my future?
• Does this role resonate with me?
• ….

I also asked my husband – he often gives me helpful perspective with his grounded, rational view of things. He said: “Lenka, going to the interview doesn’t commit you to anything. You’ll get a feel for it and see if it clicks.” And honestly, I already knew he was right.

The Day of the Interview

The day of the interview arrived. I felt grounded, confident, and prepared. I had reviewed the essentials, tuned into my inner calm, and entered the meeting with healthy self-assurance.

The interview itself was online and flowed in a friendly, relaxed tone. I was getting questions I could answer with ease, and I sensed genuine satisfaction on their side. At one point, I even caught myself thinking: “Maybe this is the right challenge for me… I could learn a lot, shape the role to my liking, enjoy a high degree of autonomy… and the compensation package was, let’s say, rather heavenly.” It felt exciting. Empowering. Like a new chapter was teasing me to open the first page.

But then, something shifted …

Roughly ten minutes before the end of the interview, I was suddenly hit by a wave of anxiety.
It came out of nowhere – or more precisely, it came from a colleague I would have to collaborate with almost daily. I couldn’t quite articulate it then, I know now exactly what it was:

My intuition had spoken.

The Inner Whisper

The interview ended. I went to have lunch. My husband had set the table and gently asked,“So… how do you feel?” I looked him in the eye…. silent … twenty seconds passed. Then he said,“This probably isn’t the job for you, is it?” Another pause. I slowly shook my head. We didn’t need words. That moment of quiet eye contact said it all.

I told him how the interview went and said I’d sleep on it and make my final decision in the morning.
He supported me fully. He reminded me – whatever I choose will be the right choice in the end.

That night, I barely slept. In the middle of the night, our son woke up and called for me. He wanted me to lie next to him. Coincidence? I don’t believe in those. As I laid there, stroking his little head and listening to the soft rhythm of his breath, the answer came to me – clearly and effortlessly.

Looking at him, I knew without a doubt that accepting that position would alter our bond. I wouldn’t be able to spend nearly as much time with him as I do now. The role would require frequent travel, and more importantly, it would bring a level of stress that would seep into our family life.

That morning, I woke up crystal clear: I had to withdraw from the hiring process.

The Act of Courage

And this was the moment that demanded real courage. Not the kind you talk about in theory, but the kind you feel in your bones. I knew this decision would have consequences – new, unfamiliar, and possibly uncomfortable. I was saying no to job security, a stable income, and the familiar. Yet I was saying yes to myself.

Once I aligned my thoughts, I wrote an email to the management and HR department, formally withdrawing from the selection process. I cited personal reasons and overall well-being. And then… I waited. To my surprise, I received nothing but positive reactions – many of them centered around one word: Courage. They admired my ability to turn down such a lucrative role. And more than that, they respected my choice to honor what felt right for me at a deeper level.

What That Experience Gave Me

To this day, I consider that decision one of the most powerful lessons of my life. Not just because it led me to what I now see as my true calling – coaching – but because it expanded me as a person. I faced my own fears. My own self-doubt. And I came out stronger. Clearer. More me. And that’s why I now help others do the same. To walk through similar crossroads – personal or professional – with awareness, power, and heart.

What I Learned About Courage

I would like to highlight these takeaways from my story:

• I dared to attend the interview even though I wasn’t 100% sure.
• I dared to listen to my intuition instead of just my logic.
• I dared to say no—to write that email.
• I dared to let go of certainty, structure, and salary.
• I dared to step into the unknown: What now?
• I dared to set boundaries and honor my values.
• I dared to celebrate my decision and feel grateful for it.

Why Is Courage So Hard?

Why is it so hard for us to choose courage over comfort? Why do we feel out of place – almost disoriented – when making an unconventional decision? Why do we freeze in fear… instead of stepping forward? The truth is: we’ve been conditioned to play it safe.

The Many Faces of Courage:

Courage isn’t one thing. It wears many masks – and each one demands a different kind of inner strength.

• Physical courage – persevering through discomfort, maintaining balance and presence.
• Social courage – being unapologetically yourself, even if you don’t fit the mold.
• Moral courage – doing what’s right, even when it’s unpopular or inconvenient.
• Emotional courage – allowing yourself to feel everything, without guilt or shame.
• Intellectual courage – unlearning old paradigms, embracing new ideas with an open and adaptive mind.
• Spiritual courage – living in alignment with your purpose, guided by your heart.

Where It All Begins

Courage is not something we suddenly acquire in adulthood. It’s something we start absorbing in childhood – through the words, actions, and fears of those closest to us. We watched and learned:
How did our parents respond to uncertainty? Did they embrace risk or cling to security? Were they led by their values or by fear of judgment?

We internalized every nuance.

And many of us heard things like:

• “I’m glad you enjoy football/piano, but make sure you study hard so you’ll get a real job.”
• “Do exactly what the teacher says. Don’t stand out.”
• “You can’t wear a princess costume to the playground! What would people say?”
• “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Better safe than sorry.”

Sound familiar?

Now contrast that with this:

• “Wait… you actually told him you didn’t like it? Wow.”
• “You told the doctor your son needs more time before they draw blood? Brave.”
• “You canceled coffee with your friend because you were tired?”
• “You asked your boss for more time to complete the task? Good for you.”
• “Sorry Mum, but I don’t like how that tastes.”

…… Feels different, right? 🙂 …..

How We Learn (and Unlearn) Courage

Here’s the irony:
As children, many of us were thrown into “courage-building” situations. Remember those night-time “courage trails” at summer camps? Wandering through a dark forest with only a flashlight and your imagination to keep you company? Some kids may have thrived. Others froze in fear. But is that really the best way to teach courage?

The good news? Courage is learnable. And you can build it in ways that are empowering – not traumatizing.

Here are a few personal practices that helped me (and might just help you too):

• Ground yourself. Calm your nervous system. Yes, it’s hard – start with something simple, like conscious breathing. A few deep inhales and slow exhales can do wonders.
• Start small. Leave your comfort zone in tiny, manageable steps. Let courage tiptoe in through daily micro-challenges.
• Visualize success. Imagine yourself doing the courageous thing. Anchor into the feeling. Let it become familiar, even delightful.
• Celebrate attempts, not just outcomes. Praise yourself for trying – because that alone is brave.
• Shift your self-talk. Swap “I can’t” for “I can” or “I’m willing to try.”
• Play out the worst-case scenario. What’s the absolute worst that could happen? Embarrassment? Rejection? Judgment? (Spoiler: The world won’t end.)
• Embrace the flops. Failure is feedback. Nothing more, nothing less.

What If It’s All Just in Your Head?

Our minds are brilliant storytellers – and sometimes, they get a little too creative. They conjure up entire scenarios of disaster: What if they laugh at me? What if I get rejected? What if I look foolish?

So we shrink. We fold our wings before they even get the chance to lift. But what if – just what if – the other person reacts with complete calm… Or maybe surprise, sure, but also with respect? That’s what happened to me. I was terrified of how my withdrawal from the hiring process would be perceived.
And instead? I was met with admiration, respect not judgment.

Final Thought

As the saying goes: If you never try, you’ll never know.

And when you train your courage – even in the smallest ways – your self-confidence will skyrocket. So will the quality of your life. And that’s a win in anyone’s book, isn’t it? 🙂 The first time is the hardest. After that, it gets just a little easier. And one day, you’ll look back and realize:

Courage was never about becoming someone new.
It was about remembering who you were all along.

Feeling inspired? Curious to meet your own inner courage in a deeper way?

If you’d like some guidance as you take that first bold step, I’d be honoured to support you. Let’s explore it together in a one-on-one coaching consultation (Coaching).