The only constant in life is change, and all change brings risk. These are truths we all know, yet we still hesitate because of fear. I know I do sometimes. And that’s not a bad thing in itself. Fear helps us be more discerning with our choices. But allowing ourselves to be constantly limited by fear will keep us stuck.
“So, what’s the solution, then?” I hear you asking.
The solution is to take calculated risks. To become an intelligent risk taker. Someone who understands these truths about change and risk and uses them to your advantage. Someone who actively participates in this co-creation called life! And if you don’t know what any of that looks like in a practical sense, let the following examples be your guide.
Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone What is a confort zone? It’s a place where you feel comfortable and safe, where you have a higher degree of certainty than in other areas. But it’s also a place where your growth gets stunted and where you can close yourself off from the magic that comes with new adventures. This place can be physical or mental.
Leaving A Physical Comfort Zone A physical place, like the town you grew up in where you have all your family and childhood friends, can be very comfortable. But there’s nothing like traveling to open your mind up to new ideas, cultures, and people. It’s one of the things I strongly urge my A-Listers to do if they want to skyrocket their transformations. It’s also a great way to meet new people that will help you with your leveling-up journey.
That’s actually how I started on my transformation. I left Stockholm to search for a different way of living. And one of defining moments of that transformation journey was when I moved to London. Now I live in beautiful Geneva, Switzerland, from where I teach elegance and etiquette to ladies all over the world. That would not have happened if I hadn’t taken that calculated risk.
Leaving A Mental Comfort Zone A mental comfort zone is sometimes even more difficult to escape. It usually comes in the form of beliefs, ideologies, and mental structures that you get trapped in. And for many people (probably most people), these structures are more on the negative side. And negative thoughts and beliefs lead to negative emotions and negative attitudes. Which then lead to more negativity being reflected back to you from other people and life situations. It can be a vicious cycle.
If you think you’ve fallen into a mental trap like that, it’s time to make a change. Contact a psychologist or coach. Start taking responsibility for your thoughts and attitude. Create a positive emotions list that you’d like to feel on a daily basis.
Working with a psychologist was one of the best decisions I ever made. It took several months to really start seeing the difference, but it pushed me to overcome my old insecurities and conditioning. It’s what allowed me to take charge of my mental health. I also met my now-husband just a few short weeks after starting therapy. Coincidence? I honestly don’t think so.
Why You Should Develop A Risk Taker Personality I’m not talking about you now jumping out of planes or becoming some kind of adrenaline junky. I’m not even talking about you forcing yourself to be an extrovert when you’re an introvert at heart. I’m talking about developing a risk taker personality that matches your needs, desires, and unique character. That way you can become more authentically yourself while still upgrading your life.
Without taking risks, you might not go for that business idea that’s been in the back of your head for years. You might not start wearing those flattering outfits you recently bought but are too afraid or expensive to wear everyday. You might not hire that stylist to take your elegant style personality to the next level. And you might not network within the elite circles and expand your opportunities.
Your Next Steps If any of the above sound like things you long to do but feel like something is holding you back, then it’s time to make your decision right now. Are you going to do this or not? If you’re ready, I have a dedicated post on how to develop a risk taker personality without feeling unsafe or triggering your anxiety. It’s a gentle process, one that I use myself, to help you use risk and change to your benefit.
If you want to know more about my own transformational journey and the risks I had to take, check out my free workshop “How I Went From Broke And Awkward To A Million Dollar Life.” Hope to see you there!
In this post, I not only talk about why taking risk is important, I outline some practical examples and next steps to take if you want to become more of a risk taker.
