Need courage? Here are five simple rules for increasing your courage, from the writings of Dale Carnegie, as found in Dale Carnegie’s scrapbook; a treasury of the wisdom of the ages.

Rule #1

Act as if you were courageous. This makes you a bit braver as if one side of yourself had been challenged and wished to show it was not wholly afraid.

Rule #2

Pause to reflect that others have had to face great discouragements and great obstacles and have overcome them. And what others have done, surely you can do.

Rule #3

Remember that your life forces move in a sort of rhythm and that if you feel depressed and without the power to face life you may be at the bottom of the trough; if you will keep up your courage, you will probably swing out of it by the very forces which at the moment are sucking you down.

Rule #4

Remember that you feel more defeated and downcast at night than during the daylight hours. Courage comes with the sun. [Go to bed early, wake up early.]

Rule #5

Courage is the measure of a big soul. Try to measure up.

Dale Carnegie was a writer, lecturer and developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship,  public speaking, and interpersonal skills. He is best known for his book How to Win Friends & Influence People.

Cover image via Annie Spratt.