Taking Risks Leads to Big Payoffs
posted in General |Everything we do in life comes with risk. Whether I’m driving my daughter to school or reaching out to meet my neighbors or stepping into a new leadership role, everything I do comes with some measure of risk. So, why is it that we so often fear taking risks?
There are a few of us thrill-seekers who enjoy taking risks, at least in some area of our lives, but most people become fearful and anxious when they think of stepping out of their comfort zone and doing something different. Hearts begin to race, palms become sweaty and emotions well up. Taking risks scare us.
I believe it is because we buy into Webster’s definition of risk. It says risk is the “exposure to the chance of injury or loss; danger.” By that definition risk is negative.
But, what Webster’s doesn’t include, and what we often forget, is that risk offers a tremendous payoff. The satisfaction and growth we can get out of taking a risk, whether or not we achieve “success,” can be tremendous.
Take for example, the single mom who goes back to school to finish her degree so she can pursue a better career that offers more stability for herself and her family. Big risk. Big potential payoff.
Or my friend Paul who got his degree in accounting only to discover his passions lay elsewhere – in entertaining people. In 1999 he wrote and rehearsed a one-man variety arts show and founded Flow Circus (www.flowcircus.com) to fulfill the mission of promoting life-long learning and play through the Variety Arts. He has been performing ever since and he loves it. Big risk. Big payoff.
Taking risks does not come without, well … taking risk. On some level you must be willing to sacrifice one thing for another. And in most cases, the thing sacrificed is comfort. When our lives get into a routine we tend to get comfortable. Changing any part of it means we risk losing that comfort.
In my case, I have sacrificed a “regular” “stable” job to pursue my career of passion. As such, I find things along the way that I need to tweak and I sometimes stumble over mistakes. But, by pursuing my passions and following what I am called to do I also discover that I am stronger and more capable than I thought. I am also constantly growing in new ways and experiencing joy like never before. This makes me a better wife, mom, friend and leader. And, it provides me the opportunity to positively impact the lives of people I come in contact with – my ultimate goal.
Along those lines, you will see changes made to my website over the next several weeks. I will be adding more static information about my speaking ministry, my employability workshops and other endeavors in which I am involved. I will also be adding the opportunity to sign up for my newsletter as well as opportunities to join my prayer team. If you have questions, suggestions or would like to help me further develop my site please feel free to contact me at Stephanie@chooseabetterlife.net or leave a comment on this blog. I am looking forward to what is to come.
How about you? What do you need to risk to Choose a Better Life?