“The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”
Mark Zuckerberg
Is there someone in your social group that apparently has the perfect life? You know what I am talking about, they have the perfect hair, clothes and children. They are the ones that had 4.0 grade average in High School, they knew what college they would be attending in the 9thgrade, they graduate with honors. They never seem to stumble or struggle. I was never one of them, but I used to have such an admiration for these people! I used to wish that I would be just like them. They would make me question my existence. They would make me focus on my flaws. Why couldn’t I be like them? Why couldn’t I have it all figured out at 18 years old! What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I conform and settle to the perfect life? I couldn’t because something greater than myself pushed me out of my comfort zone. So, for some time now I have gave myself permission to take risks. To not settle, to risk losing it all to become it all. It was not easy, it took restless nights, waking up in tears at two in the morning wondering why I was so ungrateful with my comfortable life, but it was worth it. Let’s talk about risk taking and why it’s essential in your becoming. It may be painful, but I promise it will be worth it!
Why we conform?
It is the need for security that keeps us from risk taking it keeps us in a job or life that we don’t love. It is within our human nature to want to stay with the familiar. We like consistency in our lives, and to a point we need that for security. The problem is that it’s an illusion, “security,” does not really exist. Let’s look at the market crash in 2008. Many people were left without a jobs. Security is not guaranteed because of a job. Another reason I have conformed has been because it was comfortable for me. I knew where my next pay check was coming from, and it was ok, until I realized that I was not growing simply existing. I was doing the same thing every time, it was not challenging me to grow. Conforming into a life that no longer serves you, chips away at your soul. Let go of conformity by getting out of your comfort zone. Nothing is guaranteed so why not take a chance on yourself?
What do you need to be a risk taker?
The perfect people in my circle continue to live a life without mistakes. To be a risk taker you need to be willing to make mistakes. To pursue the life you were intended, to go after your passion, you should be prepared to be judged, to be thought of as, “insane.” You will be criticized and told to get a regular job! Please ignore them! Good risk taking is a courageous act it’s really not intended for everyone. It’s intended for unique people like you! When you take these risks your personal growth and integrity is enhanced. Yes, just like a child learning to walk, you will stumble and fall, but imagine if the child did not even try! When you take risks you walk with a true sense of purpose. You let the world know that you are doing it your way, and no one will tell you how to live your life!
Take action.
To get the life you want you have to risk the life you have. Are you willing? If the answer is yes then you must take action. Stop procrastinating! Procrastination delays your days of glory. Sometimes I regret not doing what I am doing sooner. Remember we are not in this planet very long! For me it’s the next 40 years that I will be living on my terms, and that is not very long! The action you take will help you with self-confidence. I know that sometimes it may be overwhelming to take the full plunge, but if you can’t risk it all, risk a little bit. Get your feet wet! It’s those baby steps you take today, that will make you run to your dreams within time.
Will you risk it all to become it all? I certainly hope so. Live fearlessly and don’t apologize for it! Don’t doubt your essence, trust that little voice that reminds you that you were destined for more. To live a life that is full of joy and abundance may require to risk it all to have it all! Until next time, Believe you are courageous enough to take risks, Changethe idea that you can’t, to Becomewho you were destined to be!
NancyJ