Positive Psychology of Courage
Related to courage and positive psychology from famous psychologists, here are 10 quotes and brief analysis about courage or being courageous.
1. “Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength”.
Sigmund Freud recognized that ‘confronting’ our inner demons and vulnerabilities can lead to personal growth and courage. He also acknowledged the importance of courage in ‘resolving’ inner conflicts and traumas. He concluded that courage was essential for psychological healing and personal growth. His work with patients demonstrated that those who confronted their fears and vulnerabilities with courage often found a path to better mental health. It is therefore, proven in the realm of positive psychology that acknowledging one’s weakness is a crucial step towards self-improvement.
2. “What a man can be, he must be.”
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs emphasizes ‘self-actualization’, where individuals strive to reach their fullest potential. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to pursue their unique potential and self-actualize were more likely to achieve personal success and fulfillment. Courage was vital for breaking free from conformity and realizing one’s true self. This pursuit of personal growth requires courage to overcome obstacles and self-doubt.
3. “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”.
Carl Rogers’ persona-centered therapy highlights the importance of ‘self-acceptance’ and the courage to be ‘one’s authentic-self’. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to embrace their true feelings and experiences would find greater psychological well-being and success in their personal lives and relationships. It signifies that courage comes from embracing your current state and using it as a foundation for positive change.
4. “Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn’t matter.”
Martin Seligman’s work on learned helplessness suggests that people can become trapped in a cycle of negativity. However, in his remarkable work around positive psychology, he also highlighted the role of optimism and courage in overcoming adversity. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to maintain the optimistic outlook and take positive actions, even in the face of setbacks and traumas, were more likely to achieve success and well-being.
5. “Positivity opens us. It broadens our minds and builds our resourcefulness”.
Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions highlights how positive thinking can fuel courage by expanding one’s mindset and abilities for future success. She concluded that experiencing and expressing courage could lead to personal growth and expended possibilities in various life domains.
6. “People who believe they have the power to exercise some measure of control over their lives are healthier, more effective, and more successful.”
Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory emphasizes the importance of courage in believing the one’s abilities to achieve goals. He concluded that individuals with high self-efficiency, who had the courage to take on challenges and persist in the face of setbacks, were more likely to attain success. It is therefore, affirmed that having the courage to take control of your life is closely linked to self-efficiency and to achieve goals.
7. “Courage is like a muscle; it is strengthened by use”.
Karen Horney recognized that courage can be developed and strengthened through practice and psychotherapy. She concluded that individuals who had the courage to confront and work through their fears and anxieties would experience psychological growth and greater emotional well-being. Hence, this is one of the recommended techniques in Positive psychology that encourages individuals to exercise their courage regularly.
8. “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… the best moments usually occur when a person’s body and mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow encourages us to embrace challenges and find courage in pushing our limits. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to immerse themselves in flow-inducing activities often experienced heightened creativity and success.
9. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Viktor Frankl’s experiences in the Holocaust led him to believe in the transformative power of courage and inner strength during the difficult times. He concluded that individuals could find meaning and success in even the most challenging circumstances by having the courage to confront suffering and choose their responses.
10. “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.”
Rollo May statement underscores the need for courage to step away from the crowd, think independently, and purpose one’s own path in life. He also realized courage as essential for breaking free from conformity and embracing one’s authentic self. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to take unique and non-conformist paths in life were more likely to find personal fulfillment and success.
