Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T. S. Eliot
As humans we like to feel safe. We like comfort and ease. But those who are willing to push the boundaries and step out of their comfort zone are those who achieve great things. How many dreams have you had? How many goals have you had? How many desires and aspirations have died and fizzled out because you deemed the risk too high?
I am not saying all risk is smart. Not all risk is good or created equal. But if we want to pursue the life we want, it will often involve a great amount of risk. Be it financial, physical or our reputation.
The fact is, to go after what we want will involve some measure of risk. Risk is good. It often leads to new ventures and opportunities. Risk makes us face ourselves and our fears and pushes us to greater levels. Risk is scary, and that is good. Humans were meant to push the needle, that is how we were created. We have the ability to literally go to the moon! We also learn from taking risks. We learn about our fears, our worries, the things that we are scared to lose. We also learn from failure. Failure can be a great teaching tool if you let it.
Below are several features of the Risk Taker's mindset.
Risk Takers are not scared to fail
Lets face it. The reason most people don't take risks is the fear of failure. We do not like to fail. It is embarrassing. It can demoralize us. But think back over your life. You fell down when you walked as a baby. You crashed (if like me, right into stinging nettles) when you tried to ride your bike the first time.
Did you know that many successful people have failed? The path to success if paved with failure. We often think that the successful people in our world get it right every time. Not so. The Wright brothers had to figure out how to fly over numerous attempts. Thomas Edison said "I have not failed: I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work'. The list of successful people who initially failed is massive.
If you let the fear of failure hold you back you will never step out to reach your potential. We all fail. We are human. Failure is just part of the process in achieving our goals and dreams and being successful.
The Risk Taker faces their fears and refuses to let their fears control them. Truth be told, if you have not failed at anything lately, you are probably not trying to do enough things.
Risk Takers are not scared of critics
We have all heard of the crabs in the pot. As soon as one starts to climb out, the others pull it down. Unfortunately, we can have a crab mentality and not want others to succeed. We also know that as we pursue our dreams and take risks that there will be nay sayers.
The fear of man is crippling. It seems that those who go after great things will have their critics. It is like a law of nature. If you let the opinions of others control your actions you will be forever enslaved to the approval and acceptance of the crowd. And that is a harsh task-master.
At some point you have to just simply not care what the critics say. Critics will always be around.
The Risk Taker is unaffected by critics because they are so focused on their goals. They are not going to be controlled by the mob or media. Their dreams are worth pursuing. Don't let petty critics stop you from going for it.
Risk takers are not scared of imperfection
Risk Takers are not perfect people. From my own experience I can attest that often the thing that keeps me back is waiting to be perfect before I attempt new things. This I do in order to minimize failure and pain and maximize (or guarantee) success. But the fact is, we grow as we go. Success and perfection is never guaranteed.
If you wait until you are perfect until you pursue your goals and chase your dreams you will wait forever because you will never be perfect. Life is a process and there is always room for change and growth. Leaders in the entrepreneur space urge action and rightly so. You will get better as you go.
Good ideas and dreams are nothing until they are acted on. You will not get it right straight away. You will have to adjust as you go. Even if you start perfect, there will be a mistake along the way. Perfection is a mirage. Action is what matters. The Risk Taker embraces their imperfections and charges on.
Are you a Risk Taker? If you are, that is great! Keep going. If you are not, guess what. You can be. Use these three mindsets above and you can begin to face your fears and realize your dreams. Remember, great reward involves great risk.
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