Brrr-ave New World: The Chilling Path to Courage
How the coldest shower can spark your hottest courage
"The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." - Unknown
Why tiny acts of bravery change everything
Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Cold Shower Revolution
Bottom line: Sometimes courage starts with a simple turn of a knob
Dear Courageous Souls (and Reluctant Polar Bears),
I screamed. I danced.
I definitely invented some new curse words.
But as the icy water flowed over me for just 10 seconds, something extraordinary happened: I felt unstoppable.
Let me back up.
This isn't just another story about cold showers.
It's about discovering how tiny acts of voluntary discomfort can revolutionize our relationship with fear.
It started when I met Jesse Harless, a man who transformed his life with perhaps the smallest act of courage imaginable: turning his shower knob to cold.
Jesse, like many of us, had struggled with self-doubt and anxiety. He'd tried the usual solutions - meditation apps, self-help books, motivational videos.
But his breakthrough came from the most unexpected place: his bathroom.
"I stayed under that cold water for five minutes," Jesse told me. "When I emerged, I was different. For the next three hours, I felt incredible energy and excitement—a level of confidence I had never experienced before."
Here's what fascinates me: It wasn't the cold water itself that changed Jesse's life. It was the daily decision to do something uncomfortable on purpose.
Each morning, he proved to himself that he could face discomfort by choice.
Think about that: A 10-second decision, repeated daily, rewiring his entire relationship with fear.
The science behind this is fascinating. When we voluntarily expose ourselves to controlled discomfort:
Our stress resilience increases
Our confidence in facing challenges grows
Our brain creates new neural pathways for courage
Our fear response becomes more manageable
But here's the real magic: This isn't about becoming a cold-water warrior. It's about discovering that courage isn't something we have to find - it's something we can practice in tiny, 10-second increments.
This Week's Scare Your Soul Challenge: The 10-Second Revolution
Ready to discover your own daily courage practice? Here's your mission (should you choose to accept it):
The Setup:
Start with your normal, cozy shower
No need to be a hero - this is about small steps
Remember: 10 seconds is all we're asking
The Challenge (3 days only):
Finish your regular shower
Take one deep breath
Turn that dial to cold
Stay for just 10 seconds (count them out loud!)
Dance, scream, or laugh - whatever feels right
The Reflection:
Notice how you feel afterward
Pay attention to your sense of accomplishment
Observe how this tiny act affects your confidence throughout the day
Remember: This isn't about the cold water. It's about proving to yourself, first thing in the morning, that you can do hard things - even if just for 10 seconds.
Will it be comfortable? Nope. Will you question my sanity (and yours)? Probably.
Will you discover that courage can start with the smallest action? Absolutely.
In a world that often tells us to wait until we feel ready, there's revolutionary power in choosing to be brave for just 10 seconds.
With courage, chattering teeth, and a newfound appreciation for warm towels,
P.S. If anyone asks why you're suddenly so perky in the mornings, feel free to share your new secret.
P.P.S. Have you taken our global workplace courage survey yet? It only takes 3 minutes, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on what makes for a brave workplace. No cold showers required for participation!