IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE RISKS!

If you knew that taking a risk would lead to a successful outcome, would you take it? I know I would! However, uncertainty is the thing that holds us back. The unknown is scary, and rightly so, we can’t control it.

However, if you sit and think about everything you’ve achieved in your life, you’ve probably taken more risks than you can count! It all begins when you’re a child, being inquisitive and learning new things, the risk at that age is getting it wrong and having to be corrected. As you grow up the risks you take become greater such as: moving to a new city, starting a new job and getting a mortgage. Without taking risks throughout your life, you wouldn’t have what you have now.

When you reflect upon the word ‘risk’ it implies that the outcome may not be what we expect – and sometimes that can happen – but, you can’t allow the fear of failure to prevent you from reaching your goals. I can recall a time at university when I had to complete a presentation on my own in front of an audience, and if that wasn’t enough, I had to do it in Spanish. I remember thinking to myself ‘what if this all goes wrong?’ and ‘what if I forget everything?’ However, I knew that I had practised enough and anyway, what was the worst that could happen? The worst thing that could happen was not getting the grade I wanted, which isn’t the end of the world. I remember the presentation well, reciting it the way I practised, it was very successful, resulting in my getting the highest grade possible. After the event I thought to myself ‘what was all that about?’ but I understand now that it was my fear of the unknown that made me question myself.

Think of it this way, taking a risk is what makes us feel alive. Having a life without risk can make you feel as though you are stuck in a rut.  It’s important to take yourself out of your comfort zone because it will teach you more about yourself, and you will probably realise that you are capable of more things than you first thought. Just remember, never let the fear of failure stop you!