Twenty Seconds of Courage
Paul Alexander died on 11 March 2024, at the ripe old age of 78.
Paul was an extraordinary, exceptional man who achieved great success in life against all odds.
More about the Man With The Iron Lung:
Against All Odds
In 1952, Paul Alexander was struck by polio as a child, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Against bleak odds, Paul not only survived but thrived.
Despite being confined to an iron lung for over 60 years to assist his breathing, Paul accomplished remarkable feats. He graduated from college, pursued a career as an attorney, and even penned a book over the course of five years.
Remarkably, he also gained a following on TikTok earlier this year.
Paul’s inspiring journey underscores the power of self-belief and unwavering perseverance in conquering seemingly insurmountable challenges.
What Does All This Have To Do With Me And You?
Over the past year, I’ve been chronicling my journey here, detailing the challenges of starting and staying motivated.
As I continue to write, my understanding of my journey grows clearer.
Simultaneously, conversations with friends facing similar challenges reveal two distinct groups.
One group seems to just dive in, persevere, and prosper while the other keeps encountering obstacles at every turn — hindering their aspirations.
This post is primarily directed towards the latter group.
Numerous reasons and even more excuses contribute to our stagnation, but the bottom line is this:
1. Fear of failure — We are afraid to take risks and try new things because of the possibility of failing.
2. Lack of self-confidence — We doubt our own abilities and convince ourselves the obstacle is too big.
3. Complacency — We get stuck in our comfort zones and lose the motivation to push ourselves.
To go forward, if that’s what you and I really want, then we will need to do these things, at the very least:
- Adopt a growth mindset — See setbacks as chances to grow and learn, not permanent barriers. Believe in our ability to develop skills through dedication and effort.
- Establish small, attainable goals — Do not feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the end goal. Learn to break it down into manageable steps.
- Find inspiration — Immerse in stories like Paul Alexander’s. Stick around others who inspire. Let their experiences boost confidence and drive.
I’m assuming most of us already are aware and maybe actually carrying out some of the above steps.
I want to go one step further.
Forget everything mentioned above, except what Daniel Riley calls — the twenty seconds of insane courage.
Briefly, this is what he says:
- Courage doesn’t last forever and can be hard to keep up.
- Big changes in life often come from small acts of bravery in important moments.
- Sometimes, just a brief burst of courage — like twenty seconds — is all it takes to change your life, whether it’s asking for a promotion or facing your fears.
Paul Alexander demonstrated an abundance of emotional courage despite his immense infirmities.
He succeeded against all odds, proving his resilience surpasses his illness.
Paul’s journey shows that anyone, regardless of health issues, can achieve success.
Emotional courage helps us face tough times with strength and kindness, letting us be real with ourselves and others.
I like how psychologist Susan David takes this one step further in her talk on emotional courage based on her work and experience in Ted Talks.
Maybe now we can all become our own versions of Paul Alexander.
Every setback is an opportunity for growth.
Every small step counts towards your goals.
Inspiration can be found in the stories of those who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
All we really need is 20 seconds of insane courage.
