“Yes risk taking is inherently failure prone. Otherwise it would be called sure-thing-taking”.
-Tim McMahon
I saw a cat perched atop my garage this morning and thought, “that looks scary!”, “how will he gets down?”, “is he regretting his decision?”, “if he gets down will he reconsider before doing it again?”.
Risk-taking is inherently failure prone AND it is a pathway to unlimited opportunities.
14 years ago I took a big risk and opened Life Skills Resource Group, a psychotherapy practice in Orlando, Fl.
There was an endless list of reasons this was too risky, including the fact that I had never run a business, that I didn’t know how do any of things needed to get a business going (build a website, create a logo, attract clients), and I had 2 sons in private school who were college bound and my former husband and I had minimal savings.
I forged ahead despite the risk and when I look back on that time I don’t recall having any significant fear or concern. My passion for creating my vision obstructed the obstacles that should have been clearly in sight.
How did I know this was a risk worth taking? I did not know.
I never actually know if the risks I take will pay off down the line. I have taken risk that have been utter failures and risks that have paid off.
They key in all of this for me is that if I don’t take risks I forfeit an opportunity to:
- Develop new aspects of myself. Anything that I try that is new has the potential to light up parts of me that I didn’t even know existed.
- Over come a fear of failure. If I try and fail I learn it wasn’t as bad as I imagined and I can learn from the experience. If I try and succeed, the success becomes part of my inner dialogue and makes new risks less scary.
- Learn new skills. Any new venture creates an opportunity for a new skill to be developed and mastered which creates confidence and a sense of pride.
- Encounter unexpected opportunities. Risks have allowed me to meet people I would have never met, explore places I would have never explored, and ultimately create a life that feels fully and authentically me!
Next time you are considering taking a risk, notice how it feels inside when you imagine the hard works it will take to make it happens AND notice how it feels when you see your risk paying off and then ask yourself if you are willing to endure the pain of hardship for the potential of success.
If are looking for help to get a handle in your busy reach visit our website https://www.lifeskillsresourcegroup.com/ or 407.355.7378 to schedule an appointment.
Cindy Fabico, MA, NCC, RYT200 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist MT2724 Licensed Mental Health Counselor MH8555 Founder & CoOwner Life Skills Resource Group