About this quote

Keeping a steady head in a risky situation shifts what you can do next. Fear narrows your options and wastes time; a calm choice keeps you acting. Pick one clear step you can take right now—make a call, lock one decision in, or move toward the problem—and the rest becomes easier to manage. What single action will you take this minute?

When to use it

• Before I walk into a tense contract negotiation at work, I whisper, 'Courage in danger is half the battle,' and then present the proposal anyway.
• Right before my thesis defense, I tell my advisor, 'Courage in danger is half the battle,' take a deep breath, and begin the first slide.
• When the surgeon explained the risky procedure, I held my partner's hand and said, 'Courage in danger is half the battle,' then signed the consent form.
• About to call my landlord to demand repairs after months of problems, I remind myself, 'Courage in danger is half the battle,' and hit dial.