July 10 – Taking the Leap: The Unexpected Rewards of Taking Risks

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo. F. Buscaglia

We all know the feeling – that pit in your stomach, the tremor in your hands as you contemplate stepping outside your comfort zone. Risk-taking can be a terrifying prospect, yet throughout history and in our own lives, it has proven to be the engine that drives progress and personal growth.

As Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant point out in their book Option B, "psychologists have found that over time we usually regret the chances we missed, not the chances we took." This resonates deeply. Think about a time you passed on an opportunity – a job interview in a new city, a chance to learn a new skill, maybe even asking out someone you were interested in. Do you ever find yourself wondering "what if"? Taking a chance, even if it doesn't work out exactly as planned, can lead to unexpected rewards and open doors you never knew existed.

Brené Brown, in The Gifts of Imperfection, reminds us that "we don't change, we don't grow, and we don't move forward without the work." Embracing risk is part of that work. It's the push that propels us beyond stagnation and into the unknown, where growth and possibility reside.

“Up until now many of us have secretly believed that we had to wait until things calmed down a bit before we started to get our acts together. Life never calms down long enough for us to wait until tomorrow to start living the lives we deserve. Life is always movement, always change, always unforeseen circumstances.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Our very existence is a testament to the power of risk-taking. As John O'Leary states in his book, In Awe, "Without people who are willing to push the boundaries of the status quo and strive for novel ideas, we would still be hunting and gathering for food..." Our early ancestors who ventured out of familiar territory, who experimented with new tools and hunting techniques, took enormous risks. But it was these risks that laid the foundation for the advancements that define our world today.

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Tony Robbins

Taking a risk can feel stressful, that much is undeniable. But Dr. Elissa Epel offers a valuable perspective in The Stress Prescription. She explains that the physiological response to taking a risk, the surge of adrenaline and heightened alertness, can actually be an asset. By reframing this stress response as a source of energy and empowerment, we can use it to our advantage.

Furthermore, embracing risk fosters resilience. As Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant remind us in Option B, "At Facebook, we recognize that to encourage people to take risks, we have to embrace and learn from failure." When we view failure as a stepping stone on the path to success, rather than an endpoint, we develop the courage to take calculated risks and bounce back from setbacks.

“Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw

John O'Leary eloquently captures the spirit of innovation. He writes, "The decision to shoot for the moon demands we chart new paths... When it comes to moonshot thinking, the 'same old, same old' will not do." Whether it's the scientists who toiled tirelessly to develop life-saving vaccines or the entrepreneurs who dared to dream of putting a computer in everyone's pocket, progress hinges on the willingness to take risks and explore uncharted territory.

The word "risk" itself tells a fascinating story, as Allison Shrager points out in An Economist Walks into a Brothel. She explains that the term evolved from a word signifying danger to one that also suggests possibility and daring. This shift reflects our growing understanding that risk is not simply something to be avoided, but a necessary ingredient for advancement.

“Don’t go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taking risks is not always easy, but as we've seen, the potential rewards are immense. It's the key to unlocking personal growth, societal progress, and a life less ordinary. So the next time that opportunity arises, the one that sets your heart racing and your palms sweating, remember – the greatest rewards often lie on the other side of fear.

Activity –

Day Trip Exploration: Pick a city within driving distance you've never visited and spend a day there, exploring its unique offerings.

In today's increasingly digital world, it's easy to lose sight of what makes us human. The constant bombardment of screens and social media can distract us from cultivating essential qualities like kindness, empathy, and resilience.

My book, Nurturing Hopeful Resilience,  guides parents and caregivers through the challenges of raising children in a technology-driven age. It explores the importance of instilling strong values in children from a young age to help them develop into compassionate, responsible, and fulfilled individuals.

Through a series of practical exercises and insightful reflections, this book delves into fourteen core values: curiosity, awareness, kindness, learning, self-awareness, fairness, playfulness, compassion, service, belonging, trustworthiness, authenticity, community, and responsibility. Understanding and nurturing these values can empower our children to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

This book offers a roadmap for raising children who are academically successful, emotionally intelligent, socially adept, and morally grounded. It encourages readers to prioritize human connection, empathy, and compassion over material possessions and fleeting digital distractions. By embracing the power of values, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.