Week 6: Build Your Courage Toolkit

(If you’re new here, this post is part of a 12-week series: The SONG Framework for Living Your Dreams. You can catch the introduction here.)

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

In The Secret Garden, young Mary Lennox begins as a sour, withdrawn girl who has lost her parents and been sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy mansion. But when she discovers a neglected, locked garden, her curiosity and courage slowly awaken. With the help of two friends, she brings the garden—and herself—back to life. Through nurturing something fragile and hidden, Mary learns bravery, compassion, and the power of connection.

That’s the essence of this week’s theme: building your courage toolkit. Because just like Mary, we all face seasons when life feels closed off and lifeless. But with the right tools, we can unlock our own secret gardens of growth and purpose.

What’s in Your Courage Toolkit?

Let’s face it—life does get hard. There will be days when you want to give up on your goals because they seem too big, too distant, or too slow in coming. When motivation fades, your courage toolkit becomes the anchor that keeps you grounded and moving forward.

Here are a few essentials to include:

1. Accountability

We all need an accountability system when pursuing greatness.
Mine is a trusted friend. I tell her almost everything. She keeps me grounded, reminds me of past commitments I’ve forgotten, and celebrates every win—big or small. She also pushes me with the kind of encouragement that says, “Do it, even if it doesn’t work out. I’m still here for you.”

Your accountability partner might be a friend, a peer on the same journey, a mentor, or even a digital tool or app. The important thing is to have someone (or something) that keeps you aligned and cheers you on.

2. Find Your Tribe

Surround yourself with people who are on the same path—dreamers, doers, and believers. These are the ones who remind you that you’re not alone. Your tribe can reignite your fire on the days it dims and celebrate your progress along the way.

3. Take Action

When fear whispers “wait,” action is your best response. Even the smallest step counts. Progress builds confidence, and confidence builds courage. Movement—no matter how tiny—breaks the spell of fear.

4. You Can Get Up

I once heard a motivational speaker say, “The best thing that can happen to you is to fall on your back—because if you can look up, you can get up.”
Cheesy? Maybe. But true. Falling is part of the journey. What matters is remembering that as long as you can see the sky, you can rise again.

5. Watch Your Self-Talk

We touched on this in Week 5—be kind to yourself. Your inner voice can either empower or paralyze you. Practice talking to yourself like you would to a dear friend: with patience, empathy, and belief in your potential.

6. Ask for Help

There’s strength in vulnerability. Whether it’s a friend, colleague, family member, or a professional like a coach—reach out when you need support. Courage isn’t about doing it all alone; it’s about being brave enough to admit when you need a hand.

In Conclusion

Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s learning to move forward despite it. Like Mary in The Secret Garden, tending to your courage toolkit helps you transform barren seasons into spaces of growth, joy, and renewal.

This week, take a moment to reflect:
👉 What’s already in your courage toolkit?
👉 What’s missing that you might want to add?

Keep nurturing your garden of courage—you’ll be amazed at what blooms. 🌱