When you decide to take some risks

If one is relatively well-off and reasonably happy with his/her life, one can even do without taking risks. But the problem is: one will never know his/her limits. We have to take some risks to test our boundaries, and know what we are capable to achieve. We have to take some risks when we want to challenge. Challenge is necessary for growth, too. For all those who want to grow more than others, they have to take certain risks. Risk may pay, or may not pay. But they have to be taken in order to grow in an out of ordinary manner.

Life is itself a risk.Therefore, risk is always important in life. But then, always try to avoid fatal risk.Always think that you can do anything only when you are alive. So take risk, but always protect yourself in a meticulous and intelligent way. “I think I will quit my job!”My best friend looked shocked as I blurted out, not able to put it in a more refined way. “But…. This is your dream job. And it has only been a few months since you began here!!!”. He tried to find the logic behind my decision.

All that was true. I actually got the job I desired and I had worked hard for it, strategizing each move carefully. It was a dream come true when I made it. I was getting a handsome salary, living in the city that I chose and a driven mentor, working under whom for a few years guaranteed to put me at the top. Everything was good, but one thing – I was miserable. I dreaded waking up every day and the work became more of a chore than something that I loved. I felt the prick of guilt every single day when I punched out, knowing I couldn’t give in my 100%.

There were many days in my previous workplaces, where I failed a lot. But at the end of the day, I knew I had given my all. And it was all about getting better and failing better. No one could question my work ethic. However, that was not the case here. I got everything that I was supposed to get and I was still miserable. It was not that the work in itself was bad. I could see the pattern here. The same thing was repeating like in my previous workplaces. I struggle for the first few months. Understand and start working as per the standard in the next few months. Finally, I would systemize everything and start looking for something new to learn.

This had to change. I couldn’t see myself doing that over and over again. I saw no other point, other than “building up” my resume. So, I went back to the First Principle. I started from the basics. What was something that I really desired and what did I want to achieve? After several sessions of solitude and a lot of journaling, I wrote down everything that I wanted. I realized that my ideal vision and the current path are in totally opposite direction. I had to do something fast and get things to the path that I wanted. The longer I waited, I farther and difficult it will be to come back.

I had to take a call. Either stay in the safety of the job and risk losing the vision. Or go all-in on the vision and choose the path I want to take. So, I methodically planned a few months prior to the D-Day and saved money and finally, quit my job on D-Day. While it hasn’t been a smooth road so far, the views have been scenic. I am absolutely enjoying the journey, one second at a time. Honestly, I haven’t felt this free in my entire life. But this was not easy. I had to think a lot before taking this huge risk. I was taking a shot at something abstract and uncertain.

Nonetheless, I went ahead with my plan. Understanding everything about the risk and tuning it to accordingly my life has been the key. As it turns out, taking risks, especially when you feel scared, is one of the most exhilarating things you could do. Risk has its own importance and the points that follow will justify why. Diving into Uncertainty. It is often a common occurrence; whenever you start a new creative endeavor, it is wrapped with uncertainty all around it. Most of the time, you’re not even sure about the outcome. You have no guarantee of whether or not the project will give the outcome you desire.

As you start the project despite the uncertainty and it starts taking shape, you can observe the abstract being replaced by data and the outcome is fairly visible. You will have to understand that the uncertainty is inherent whenever you are starting something new and creative. Author Jonathan Fields explains it beautifully. “Nothing truly innovative, nothing that has advanced art, business, design or humanity, was ever created in the face of genuine certainty or perfect information. Because the only way to be certain before you begin is if the thing you seek has already been done. In which case, you’re no longer creating, you’re replicating”

Just understand that Uncertainty is a part of the creative process and the enormous freedom it brings with it is what makes the process exciting and the possibilities - endless. We are inherently wired to move away from anything remotely “Uncertain”; that’s the reason we feel anxious, doubtful and fear when faced with uncertainty. It is our “primitive brain” trying to save us from predators.

Be mindful of the psychology behind your symptoms and understand that it is just your “primitive brain” switched “Survival mode” and hence the exaggerated reaction for the same. Once you move towards Uncertainty and start facing it often, you will realize that Uncertainty is indeed your best friend during Creation. Understanding Risk. As humans, we tend to thrive on safety. We often avoid Risks and entry into the “unknown”. Author of “The Mistake Bank”, John Caddell says that Embracing risks really just a function of adopting the right mindset. Most often, the worst-case scenario in the risks we face is not something major like an injury or death; it is a financial setback, a blow to reputation or perhaps a hit to our ego. Nothing really matters in the long run.

All the risks you are trying to avoid carries within it a certain element of opportunities that could surely be the game-changer. You will need to see the bigger picture and understand that with persistence and determination, any complications and obstacles can be overcome. There is one major key point that many miss - You ‘re not powerless in the face of risk. It is never about the decision. It is never about making the right decision. It is always about making a decision and working towards making it right. It is all about taking action and staying committed to the decision.

Most give in at the first signs of a setback or failure. But the cold truth is that nothing truly beautiful or impactful was ever made in the first attempt. It took several failures, setbacks and implementing the lessons from those that set it on the path of success. You will need to be Persistent and endure the failures. Take the lessons and adopt them. That’s one surefire way to get into the path of success. And besides, in this fast-paced economy of ours, it is a much bigger risk of staying safe and not taking any risk. As paradoxical as it may sound, taking the risk and embracing uncertainty, while working towards making your decisions right is the better way to move forward and succeed. Cheers!