20 Seconds of Courage: Redefining Success for Growth and Authenticity

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."— Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo

The Trap of Comparison

Life often feels like a constant comparison. Whether it’s standardized testing metrics (“I’m in the top 18% of my age group nationwide”), performance evaluations at work, or social media's "perfection filters," we’re perpetually measured against others. If we’re not careful, this culture of comparison can trap us into playing not to lose instead of striving to win.

As John Maxwell highlights in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, this “prevent defense” mindset holds us back. Much like a football team that shifts its strategy to avoid losing, we stop doing what made us successful and focus solely on not failing. As Maxwell and John Madden agree, “The only thing a prevent defense does is prevent you from winning.”

The Courage to Risk

The fear of failure or embarrassment is at the root of this mindset. It’s the teen hesitating to ask a question in class, the 30-something sticking to a steady paycheck instead of pursuing an entrepreneurial dream, or the 60-something resisting learning new skills and settling for the status quo.

But real courage isn’t just about grand gestures like jumping out of a plane. True courage is choosing to take risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and risking failure in order to grow. In my classroom, I encouraged my students to embrace this courage—not to avoid failure but to see it as a step toward growth.

Redefining Success

Success should never be based solely on comparison to others. Instead, it must be personally defined, grounded in growth and improvement. Here’s how we can reframe success:

1. Focus on the Journey: Set goals about becoming better rather than reaching a single destination. For example, aim to be a better actor instead of becoming the next Brando.

2. Measure What You Can Control: Prioritize effort, improvement, and perseverance over outcomes influenced by external factors.

3. Embrace Qualitative Success: Success isn’t just numbers—it’s the stories and experiences behind them.

Teaching Courage and Self-Worth

As educators, it’s critical to teach students that their worth isn’t defined by comparative statistics. Instead, they need to understand their potential and embrace the courage to change their trajectory when needed.

Life-changing decisions often require just twenty seconds of insane courage. We must model this bravery for our students and empower them to play to win, not just avoid losing.

Conclusion

Stop playing to avoid failure. Take the leap, embrace courage, and redefine success as growth beyond your current abilities. Whether in life, work, or education, the moments of bravery you choose can set the stage for extraordinary outcomes. Remember: twenty seconds of courage can change everything.