Most of us have had no choice this year but to choose courage. To face the risks, threats, losses and fears that COVID has flung our way. Personally and professionally.

It’s demanded questions of us we never imagined we’d need to answer, choices we didn’t ever want to make, decisions we didn’t know we’d ever act upon.

It has tested us mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

We’ve asked big things of ourselves, teams and organisations. Some of us are still asking very big questions and looking for answers.

Yet here we all are, ending the year as communities, institutions, organisations, individuals and families, who have practiced courage. Who have had to be braver than we’ve ever been before. As we will again next year.

I appreciate we don’t all celebrate Christmas, we don’t all perhaps bother about a New Year yet we do all get to start 2022 together and regroup as the forecasts, budgets, targets and strategies for a New Year remind us.

My wish for you over this next week or so, is that you take time some time to reflect on what courage you have practiced this year. To recognise where you can feel pride in your actions, choices and decisions.

We see ourselves surrounded by the courage of those around us, yet my research shows us that we are so often disconnected from our own courage.

Perhaps if we asked the right questions at the right time, we might pause to notice the courage we have within ourselves. To imagine what more might be possible if we recognised the abundance of courage within each and every one of us.

Don’t spend the coming weeks worrying about setting goals for yourself this year. Think about who you want to be in 2022 and lead from there.

It’s been a humbling experience and a privilege this year to work with the organisations, clients and partners Be Braver has connected with.

In the spaces and conversations we create, what is most striking is the magnificent beauty and profound courage, bravery and vulnerability we offer to the world as human beings. Wherever and however that may be.

The courage you see in others will not be the courage they recognise of themselves and anymore than the courage you find in yourself will not be what anyone else may ever see.

But it is yours, it is the source of your strength and connecting with it will be the best gift you can give yourself.

Take time, trust in you, choose courage and know you have everything you need to Be Braver again in 2022,

Courage and solidarity always,