“Those who can’t change their minds can’t change anything.” - George Bernard Shaw
 
How does changing your mind make you a better person?

Five Truths About Taking Risks
 
 
The old saying, “We don’t know what we like, we like what we know,” is absolutely true. But like it or not, life is full of change, and often, change comes as a result of taking risks. Yet not taking risks in life for fear of discomfort or change often produces a life of isolation and regret.
 
Predictability is safe, and safety is comfort. But would you be willing to squander your life’s potential for the sake of fleeting comfort? Would you be willing to stay stuck and locked up in a life that dishes out a daily dose of mundane?
 
At the end of your life, you’ll have to answer the question, “What did I do with my life?” The question is rhetorical, but I would hate to be the one who buried my potential because of fear.
 
Here are five undeniable truths about taking risks in life:
 
Number 1: Taking risks provides clarity. Stepping outside your comfort zone may cost you every ounce of comfort and every morsel of predictability. But you will also gain clarity about who you are, passion for your purpose, and understanding about what is most valuable to you in this life.
 
Number 2: Taking risks will cost you more than you anticipated up front. It truly will. But the reward will be greater than the risk. Even if the risk ends up not working out, the learning experience is definitely worth the investment.
 
Number 3: Taking risks (or not taking risks) because of a people-pleasing motivation will backfire quicker than you could ever expect. What’s at stake is faithfulness to properly manage something entrusted to you at birth: your purpose – loaded life. Operating in fear will render you impotent in the development of that potential.
 
Number 4: Taking risks is not at all equivalent to gambling. Taking risks has nothing to do with throwing caution to the wind or flipping a coin. Taking risks involves careful planning, deliberate investigation, and a truckload of counsel.  
 
Number 5: Not taking risks will likely produce regret. At the end of your life, will you look back and ask the proverbial question, “What if?” Or, will you look back upon your life and repeat the words of journalist Hunter S. Thompson: “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!”
 
You might step out, find out and fall flat on your face. But at least you tried. At least you took a risk instead of burying your talent in the cold, hard ground. 
 
 
From the article that appeared on chriscookis.com
 
 

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” - Jodi Picoult
 
What constraints have you put on your ability to endure?

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself – and be lenient to everybody else.” - Henry Ward Beecher
 
What standards do you hold for yourself?

Would you say you are the type of person who takes responsibility for your success and happiness?

Or are you like so many people who look to blame circumstances or other people when things don't go their way or they don't get what they expect?

Most of us have heard the expression, "Our attitude impacts our altitude." 

You have a choice every morning when you wake up about which attitude you want to start the day with. You can either be glum and pessimistic or grateful and encouraged. 

Just like determining what socks you will wear, what you will eat for breakfast, and what route you will drive to work, the attitude you use to start each day is a choice that only you have responsibility for making.

Since so many people fail to take responsibility for their own success and happiness, think how much easier it will be for you to reach your goals if you decide to take responsibility for having a positive attitude each morning. Imagine how little competition you will be up against!  

Check out this video about the importance of being responsible for your attitude each day.

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“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.” - Oscar Wilde
 
What are you doing to prepare to succeed at your unfair life?

 “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to believe what is true.” - Soren Kierkegaard
 
How do you learn not to be fooled by what you believe?

“Both confidence and doubt are not realities, they’re just beliefs.” - Brian Knight
 
How do you become confident using only your beliefs?

“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” - Viktor Frankl
 
How do you learn to focus yourself when looking for your purpose?

Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

How well do you prepare for a meeting, a date, or a negotiation when buying a car or house? Do you just take things as they come and adapt to the circumstance or situation, or do you research the competition, make reservations and purchase tickets beforehand, or understand the market?

Lee Trevino is among golf's all-time money winners. He was also an athlete who did his research and approached every round of golf he played with an optimistic attitude and demeanor.

He always saw his glass as half-full despite growing up in poverty in Texas.   

Watch this video to learn more about this golfing legend and why he was so successful and beloved by the fans.

​Also, please leave me a comment below about your thoughts on the importance of preparation and optimism in your life.  

“When you love someone, you love the person as they are, not as you’d like them to be.” - Leo Tolstoy
 
How do you love people for who they are?