The path to the waterfall looks exciting right? What if I told you that as I arrived at the path, there were not one, but TWO ambulances taking away patients that thought this was a good idea. And, three ladies on the ship's tender to the town recommended that I take a quick selfie and proceed to walk around town rather than risk hurting myself and ruining the rest of my time in Iceland. The path was rocky but the scenery was well worth it!
We are faced with risks each day. Should I speak up in the meeting with a different viewpoint and risk what others may think? I don't have ALL of the requirements for the new job that was posted. I really want to pursue it but what if I don't get it? I'll be so embarrassed.
For me, after 28 years in a successful career filled with growth and new opportunities, everything changed when my company was acquired and my department was eliminated. While the situation was unsettling, it was also exhilarating. Suddenly, I had the chance to rethink how I wanted to make a real difference with my skills and experience. I interviewed for several jobs, but deep down, my lifelong dream had always been to start my own consulting business.
Yet, that dream came with a lot of fear. Starting a business meant stepping into the unknown and giving up the security of a steady paycheck. It was, without a doubt, a huge risk. And while there are days when I question why I took that leap, the fulfillment I’ve found has been worth every challenge. I’ve worked alongside incredible leaders across various industries, and the risk has truly paid off.
Risk-taking is scary, no question. It’s natural to feel uncertain because there’s always the possibility things won’t work out. But here’s the truth: without taking risks, you won’t achieve extraordinary success.
A new opportunity doesn't have to be as life changing as starting a business to be risky. It can be small perceived challenges that hold us back. Let’s explore why stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to reaching your full potential.
1. You’ll Unlock New Opportunities
Every time you take a risk, you open the door to possibilities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. Playing it safe can limit your opportunities, while stepping into the unknown allows you to explore new paths.
For example, think about my experience. I thought about quitting my job to start my own business for years, but felt paralyzed by the fear of losing a steady income. In my case, the job was eliminated but the fear of the unknown remained. By taking the risk, I found time to focus on finding customers, connected with my network, and discovered opportunities I would have never encountered while sitting in my previous role.
You don’t have to leave your job to unlock new opportunities. Think of the risks you aren’t taking due to fear, then address them, and watch how new avenues or experiences emerge.
2. You’ll Build Confidence
Confidence is crucial to success, but how do you build it? By taking risks. Each time you step into uncertainty and make it through, your confidence in your abilities grows. Even if the outcome isn’t exactly what you hoped for, you’ll discover more about your strengths, resilience, and capacity to adapt.
Success is often about trying, failing, and trying again—each time gaining valuable self-assurance that you’re capable of overcoming challenges. And even if a risk doesn’t work out, you can still give yourself credit for having the courage to try.
3. You’ll Learn Valuable Lessons
Failure is a possibility when you take risks, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. In fact, failure can be one of your greatest teachers. When things don’t go as planned, you gain insights and lessons that will help you make better decisions in the future.
Remember, even a failed risk is valuable because it teaches you what not to do. Each stumble is a stepping stone toward making smarter, more informed choices next time.
4. Playing It Safe Is the Same as Doing Nothing
You’ll never achieve your dreams by playing it safe. If fear holds you back from taking risks, it’s like standing still and gazing at the trail but deciding it's too difficult. The truth is, staying in your comfort zone won’t bring you closer to your goals. To achieve anything meaningful, you need to take action—and that often requires stepping onto the rugged path or even stepping into the unknown.
Take a moment and ask yourself: What dream or goal have I been avoiding because it feels too risky? Now, consider how taking just one step toward that goal could change your life.
Ready to Leap?
Success doesn’t come without risk. If you want to unlock new opportunities, build confidence, and grow from life’s lessons, you need to take the leap. Even if things don’t work out perfectly, you’ll still come away with experiences that bring you closer to the success you’ve always wanted.
“Taking risks doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear, acknowledge fear, or let fear inform you;
you just don’t let it stop you”
Caren Merrick
Are you ready to take your next step toward extraordinary success but need some encouragement?
Contact me at JulieOlsen@WorkplaceAdvancement.com if you would like to talk about advancing forward and taking a risk!
Julie Olsen, DPA
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