5 Lessons Learned When Taking Risks

Some people live their life as if they’re in the stands of a stadium. They watch the action on the field – commenting and passing judgment on it. The stands are safe. They’re comfortable. From that position, you get to critique every stuff up on the field. But the problem is, nothing exciting happens in the stands. All the action is down below. The players on the field – the ones winning and losing, scoring big and messing up – they’re the ones actually living life. Life IS risky. No matter what you do, it’s risky. Many think that safety lies in not taking risks. What those people need to do is actually list all the opportunities and benefits they stand to lose if they don't take the leap?

The biggest challenge we face is that risk is scary and our brains are programmed to keep us safe. Wanna get more comfortable with risk for a life less ordinary? Here are some selected lessons I’ve learned from making bold choices and taking a risk.

1. Put Your Words Into Actions!

So many people say they have a dream to start their own business, or to move to another city. When you ask, “What steps are you taking toward that dream?” they respond with a research plan. In some ways, constantly searching google for tips and making lists can overwhelm you.

Don’t get caught up in planning. Not everything is going to go smoothly, no matter how much you plan. The best research often comes from getting your hands dirty and taking action. Make a plan for sure, do your research, but give yourself a deadline so you can stop planning and start acting. If we wait until we feel comfortable to take a risk, we will never leap. We are never fully ready for change. Taking risks is challenging because it is new and no amount of research can change that feeling. Act.

2. Just do it! There Is Never The Right Time

There is never a right time to take a risk; there is just right now. You either jump or you stand by hoping and wishing. When you take a leap from a job you like to start your own business, you know the risks. But staying with what we know is just an illusion of safety.

Is there something you are not doing because you think you are not ready? Maybe you worry you won’t be good at it? Try it anyway. I bet you are more ready to step into your light than you think. You can always change course without regret. If your dream feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, just take one step forward. Break big dreams down into small steps. Have faith that the little steps will bring about big things for you.

3. Remember it’s OK to “fail.”

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” — J.K. Rowling

Failure is a part of life. It’s the very fundamental foundation that all life is built upon. Failure separates the weak from the strong. Some people fail, and they give up on their goals. Others fail, and they gain invincible strength. These people can be knocked to the ground, but they’re like those inflatable dolls. They bounce right back up. That’s what failure should do to you. It shouldn’t break or stop you. It should make you push harder to achieve your goals and dreams. You should feel as though, if you could survive your present failure, you could survive anything. And trust me, you can.

4. Build Your Confidence.

Risk-taking behaviors can increase confidence and self-efficacy, the “I think I can” positive psychology that enhances goal achievement. So the more experiments you make, the better you get at making them. And the more risks you take, the more positive your risk experiences become. If the idea of risk-taking still makes your palms sweat, try to increase your comfort level by taking a small risk before embarking on a bigger one.

5. Be Smart and Realistic.

Taking a risk doesn’t mean gambling with your future. It means you follow your heart but in a way that does not burn bridges. If you leave a job to start a business, make sure you leave on good terms. Referrals from past employment is important these days. Save money if you are not sure about your income prospects. Take smart risks. Use smart grit. Don’t take risks you can’t recover from. Don’t take a risk if you’re 100% not ok with the consequences of that risk should things go wrong. Be smart while being bold.

The chances you’ll take will not always go as planned or expected. Successful or not, every risk comes with the reward of a valuable learning experience.