What’s important to you?  What do you believe in?  Are you willing to stand up for your convictions?  Can you withstand criticism of your views?  Will you take a stand in spite of being urged to just go with the flow?

When you have strong, unshakable beliefs you are willing to take a stand in support of your convictions.  You don’t care what others think of your position.  You don’t care about majority opinion.  Fads are of no concern.  Being accepted isn’t of any importance.

The stands you take aren’t for sale.  Your stands are rooted in a solid foundation of character.  You will not change your stance because of money.  You can not be pressured to alter your beliefs.  The stands you take define who you are.  Your actions aren’t based on what others think.

People who don’t, won’t, or can’t take a stand, have no core beliefs.  Their position shifts based on the prevailing opinion.  They will readily alter their stands for money or due to pressure.  It’s easy for them to get caught up doing things they shouldn’t be doing.

The news headlines are filled with examples of people who don’t have strong enough core beliefs to take a stand.  The lives of people from every social and economic strata self-destruct as a result of inappropriate behavior.  They stretch the limits of hypocrisy.  There are few temptations they can resist.

As commendable as it is to take a stand, it is not easy.  This is especially true when your position is not popular.  You will face lots of pressure to alter your views.  Many people tend to go with the crowd.  It takes courage to hold your ground.

America was founded by people willing to take a stand for what they believed in.  They risked their lives to do so.  After all, what chance did an untrained group of farmers have against the awesome might of the British army?  If you think it’s tough taking a stand, be inspired by those who gave you the freedom to hold firm in your convictions.

What do you gain by standing up for what you believe in?  It provides a solid basis for all you do.  You have a clear view of who you are and where you are going.  You won’t be blown off course by whims or temptation.  You will have a clear conscious and won’t have to be looking over your shoulder.

Because of your deep seated belief of yourself, you won’t care about anyone else’s criticism.  Therefore, your actions will be based on who you are rather than a desire for acceptance and approval.

A lot of people suppress their desire to stand up for what they believe.  They fear condemnation and rejection.  They really want to take a stand, but don’t feel they have the strength of character to do so.

The fear of standing firm is actually worse than doing so.  The positive feelings and even relief one gets when they act on their convictions far outweighs any criticism.  People often discover they get more respect when taking a stand.  Others who have been hesitant to act on their own may follow your lead.

You can build up the habit of standing firm.  Start practicing with issues important to you.  Speak up for what is right and against that which is wrong.  It’s OK to be ridiculed.  It’s often part of the process.  People would rather criticize your stance than take their own.

As you continue to stand up for what you believe, the process will become second nature.  You will no longer have any internal conflict as to what you should do.  So take a stand and be your own person.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2011 Bryan Golden

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