About a month ago, my mother shared a book with me about a man who lived to be 109 years old. Over such a long life, he gained valuable insights, and the book is filled with meaningful lessons. One passage stood out to me—it explored fear and courage, aligning well with the first chapter of The Educated Franchisee.
The passage explains that fear has three components:
Following the wisdom of ancient philosophers, the book emphasizes that courage cannot exist without fear. If someone has never felt fear, they’ve never had the opportunity to demonstrate courage. A lack of fear is not bravery—it’s simply ignorance of danger. Stoic philosophers considered courage one of the four cardinal virtues, along with justice, prudence, and self-control. True courage means choosing the right path despite difficulty, staying diligent, and enduring challenges with resilience.
Everyone experiences fear—it’s a natural part of life. The difference is in how we respond. Some embrace fear with strength, courage, and focus, while others avoid situations that make them uncomfortable. Successful business owners learn to navigate uncertainty daily. They wake up with a little fear, harness it, and move forward with courage.
As you look ahead to 2025, pay attention to when fear and anxiety arise in your life. More importantly, notice how you react. We’re all on a journey of growth, and the better we understand ourselves, the more confident we become in our decision-making. If you are interested, the book is - The Book of Charlie
