Finding Courage in Times of Need

Since I am Buddhist, the tips to find courage needed a subtle touch of the Dharma. So here are my revisions on how to find courage when you need it the most:

1. Shift your focus. Worry not about failing or disappointing other people but about failing yourself.
2. Eliminate the words "wish," "hope" and "maybe" from your vocabulary.
3. Do your homework. If appropriate, know the obstacles you might encounter. Talk with other people who were once in your shoes. But remember: stop analyzing the situation -- the knowable is but a small fraction of the unknown. Indeed, the unknown is the only constant of life.
4. Surround yourself with the courageous. So seek out people who support and believe in you.
5. Imagine what life will be like when your challenge has passed.
6. Give it your all but don't expect perfection. To find courage, you must be willing to give 100%.
7. Once you act with courage, assess your response. Did acting with courage move you forward? If not, figure out how you would behave differently next time. If so, then bottle that courage, reward yourself, and always remember this time when you acted with courage in spite of your fears.
8. And always practice the Dharma of love: be silent and be of service to friends, family and enemies without reservation.