When being raised, girls are often trained with hostel of thoughts which are Bravery Deficit such as to avoid risk and failure, smile pretty, play it safe, get all As. Whereas on the other hand, boys are taught to play rough, swing high, crawl to the top of monkey bar and then jump off headfirst. As adults, when they are asking for raise, asking someone out on a date they are habituated to taking risks after risks and they are rewarded for it.
We are teaching our sons to be brave and daughters to be perfect. In the age of living in a society full of young generation, in order to truly innovate, we cannot leave behind half of the population.
Why is it that the girls are often hesitant to raise their hands? Why are they afraid to ask a question or to look like they are the only ones who did not understand? Why are women often hesitant of expressing themselves in a crowd with confidence?
In the competition with other women of same age in a hostel or official role, where women are often ranked and remarked based on Perfection or looks, women due to the subconscious pressure of looking perfect, tend avoid challenges. They instead Try to look Smart, give up easily if they can not be perfect on the first try, and see added effort as fruitless.
Reshma Saujani, an education activist during a conference held at Ted talks on the subject, Teach girls bravery not Perfection said, “I need each of you to tell every young woman you know to be comfortable with imperfection.”
Why? Well because, while Perfect is unachievable, Brave is Possible! Brave is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It is in the freedom, vulnerability, in giving out your business card even though you are shy.
Brave is in the pause, it is the affiliation, to counter a doubt with certainty.Brave is Awe-inspiring!
In Todays era the youth of girls (and a woman of any age) need to be illuminated with the idea of how:
1. It simply takes talking through their fears and hesitations to eventually realize just how small and irrational they are!
2. Just because you are young (or old) does not mean your voice is not powerful, valuable, or appreciated amongst Professionals.
3. Ask questions and ask for help unapologetically! Do not be afraid to reach out to people. Be brave enough to do it.
4. Perfect maybe an illusion, which may only waste your time and energy. Focus more on unique, creative; YOU ideas makes you Brave.
5. Brave is taking initiative or simply get up and go, accepting feedback, and working from there! Rather than trying to plan everything out or wait until all the details are perfect before acting on them, just taking that first step will open doors you’d never have thought of!
6. Bravery requires a growth mindset and a complete new hostel of thought pattern in order to develop resilience overtime!
