What is it about taking risks in life that is so scary for people? |
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What is the major obstacle in your mind that is holding you back from pursuing your dreams? For most people it’s the fear of failure, rejection, criticism, or the fear of losing everything. If this sounds like you, then you’re not alone. Most people are scared to take risks and bet everything on themselves. These same people are the ones who prefer to play it safe, stay in their comfort zones, and just blindly follow the crowd. The truth is that people are more afraid of losing what they have then they are motivated to go get what they want. But here’s the thing that most people forget: playing it safe is not safe at all. Playing it safe is the riskiest thing you can do. Playing it safe is also the surest way to lose. Those are bold statements, so let me explain. Playing it safe means settling for less. Whether it is settling for less than you can achieve, or less than you deserve, it’s still less than. Playing it safe also means giving up on your potential. Think about it, by playing it safe, you’re letting others decide your fate and potentially limit your possibilities. |
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How many people do you know (maybe even yourself) who have a decent job that pays the bills and offers a comfortable life, yet they are still miserable and searching for something that gives them fulfillment? When you talk with these people (and I know many people in this situation), they all want to do something bigger. My first question to all of them is why aren’t you? My second question is: what is stopping you? It’s the answers to the second question that floor me. They’re afraid to risk everything and lose. But playing it safe means losing by default. This is why I’m challenging you to do something that most people are too scared to do: bet on yourself! But what does that statement even mean? Betting on yourself involves taking action on your goals. I’m not talking about waiting for the right opportunity, I’m talking about being proactive and creating your own opportunities. It also means you’ve stopped relying on others to validate your worth, or hoping others make things happen for you. What I’m saying is that you need to take full responsibility for your own life and happiness. I know, it’s easier said than done. On paper it sounds simple, but in reality, I’m well aware it’s one of the hardest things to do in life. Betting on yourself requires guts, balls, and every other part of you to be successful. Facing your fears head on always happens when you’re out of your comfort zone. Outside your comfort zone is that uncharted part of your life that is filled with uncertainty and potential rejection. Uncertainty scares a lot of people. |
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how do you overcome all of that? |
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It takes a mindset that believes in your own value. But how do you develop a mindset like that? There is no magic formula, but I can promise you that any formula for success will always include hard work, a resilient mindset, and the courage to face your fears. I talked about this previously in a post, and I want to elaborate more on what has worked for me: - Fast paced growth requires fearlessness: If you want to grow (personally or professionally), you have to be willing to face your fears and do things that make you uncomfortable. Fear is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of opportunity. That uneasy feeling of fear is your mind telling you that you’re about to do something that challenges you. Don’t let that feeling stop you, let it motivate you.
- There’s no such thing as the perfect time to take action: If you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll never get started. There will always be excuses and distractions that keep you from pursuing your dreams. The truth is that the perfect time is right now. It always has been.
- There will always be problems: No matter what you do, you will encounter difficulties and setbacks. That’s just called life, it’s not a reason to give up or quit. Problems can be discouraging, but with the right mindset, they turn into lessons. You then turn those lessons into opportunities. Trust in yourself that you’ll figure it out. Read up on any successful entrepreneur and you’ll see.
These are just three things to think about if you are brave enough to bet on yourself and win. The best part is that when you do take that chance, the results are entirely up to you. This isn’t one of those bets where the house always wins. You control the outcome here. The catch is that this can’t happen if you let fear hold you back. Like I said, fear is not the enemy, it’s an ally that reminds you of what really matters to you. So don’t ignore it, embrace it. The key is being honest with yourself about what scares you and why. |
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Once you know that, you can use that knowledge to make a smart bet on yourself. |
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You’ve heard me use the phrase “all-in” when it comes to personal growth. I’m sure most of you already know it’s a poker term, and in terms of gambling, it’s the most confident bet you can make. Consider the mindset of an all-in bet. You have to be supremely confident that you are going to win and are willing to lay everything on the line to see if you’re right. Doesn’t your life deserve that same kind of confidence? This is a bet that rewards you for taking action. It’s also how you win in life. So, what’s stopped you from going all-in on yourself? You and I both know that it stems from fears and insecurities, but what is it about them that has such a hold on you? I faced my own fears, and I’ve slipped up in the past, but I never took my bet off the table. |
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Let me know what’s standing in your way, and if you’ve gone all-in on yourself, let me know! There is a very good chance that whatever fear or insecurity you overcame is holding someone else back right now. Remember, strong people help others. i'll see you in the next one |
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