Picture your ancestor, thousands of years ago, creeping through the forest in search of food. Every rustle, every shadow, could mean danger—a saber-toothed tiger, a lurking predator, something with claws and an appetite. Their survival depended on a hyper-alert fear response. That fear? It kept them alive long enough to pass on their genes.

And now here you are—safely tucked into 2025, latte in hand, no predators in sight. And yet, that same ancient alarm system still goes off… right before you make a prospecting call.

Why?

Because while our environments have evolved, our brains haven’t fully caught up. Your nervous system still treats discomfort like danger. It doesn’t know the difference between “I’m about to get eaten” and “I’m about to be mildly embarrassed.”

Let’s break it down:

• Making a cold call? Your heart pounds, palms sweat, mind spins. Rationally, you know the worst-case scenario is a polite “no.” But to your inner caveman, rejection = tribal exile = death.
• Public speaking? Feels like stepping into a clearing full of predators. The audience isn’t going to pounce—but your brain acts like they might.
• Introducing yourself to a stranger? Suddenly it feels like your social survival is on the line. You might not get eaten, but that voice in your head is screaming, “Abort mission!”

These reactions are outdated—but persistent. They’re echoes of a time when fear was protection. Today, they’re just poor advisors.

And that’s where daily courage comes in.

Like our ancestors had to face their fears to survive, we must face ours to grow.

• That prospecting call? Dial anyway.
• That stage? Step onto it—even with shaky knees.
• That room full of strangers? Say hello to just one.

Courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about doing it anyway.

Each time you act in spite of fear, you teach your brain a new lesson: This is not danger. This is progress.

Courage rewires the alarm system. It builds confidence. It transforms “what if they reject me?” into “what if this leads to something great?”

“Be strong and courageous; don’t be afraid or terrified of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; He will not leave you or abandon you.”
— Deuteronomy 31:6 (CSB)

So the next time fear flares up before you take a bold step, remember: you’re not being hunted. You’re being stretched. Channel your inner hunter—minus the loincloth—and do it scared.