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
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
![]() ![]() Author & SpeakerTerry is a sought after speaker who believes in the power of a story to motivate, inspire, and help others lead their uncommon and extraordinary lives. By combining his thirteen-year terminal cancer journey with his diverse business, athletic coaching, and hostage negotiating expertise, he delivers compelling yet relatable presentations for conferences, on-line events, panels, meetings, and seminars. Archives
February 2025
|