If you aren’t a 100 per cent sure about your success, should you take the chance?
How many times have you thought to yourself, “I should’ve taken the chance”, “I wish I had just gone for it”, “I should’ve taken the risk”
I have, a lot of times. Be it investing in stocks or putting myself out there to find love, I have thought to myself that I should’ve taken the chance!
When it comes to shooting your shot, you obviously want to do your homework before knowing what you’re getting yourself into. But taking that risk, is very important in life. It obviously shouldn’t be reckless but a calculated move. Like for eg: quitting that job before knowing if your side hustle will be able to provide enough income for your daily expenses; this looks like a risky move.
Sometimes we also assume that the level of risk is proportionate to our fear. The scarier you feel the riskier it could be! But strangely that’s not always true. After all, driving to meet a friend doesn’t seem scarier than speaking on a stage in front of 100 people. Technically, your chances of getting killed while driving are more than on the stage.
At times we base our decisions on our emotions rather than logic. I was pretty unhappy at a job and I kept doing it because I’d made some good friends and didn’t want to quit. I was also very comfortable in that job, I knew what I was supposed to do, I had learned everything I had to. I was emotionally attached to that job, which made it difficult for me to move on and take that risk of quitting the job.
The most important thing while taking risks/ chances is your preparation to face the consequences. Ask yourself this every time you feel a step is risky “what risk will I actually face if I do this? What can I do to handle it?” Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll realize it isn’t scary anymore.
Taking risks in fact, boosts your confidence and helps you stand out. What is the most that’s going to happen? You’ll fail. Instead try taking steps to increase your chances of success. Maybe you can practice your speech a lot of times before delivering it, rather than spending your time trying to decrease your fear of failing, try increasing your chances of succeeding.
Acknowledge the fact that you will be scared and feeling that way is okay and absolutely normal but don’t let that fear keep you away from that one decision which could change your life. Getting out of the comfort zone is very important in order to succeed. If you fail, you get a chance to sharpen your skills and learn from your mistakes. Your heart would be racing, your palms sweating, but ask yourself “would I regret not taking this chance?”
Zig Ziglar once said “Make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change” Start by taking small risks like complimenting someone who crosses your way, learning that language or applying for that job (even if it says it requires +4 years of experience). Test your threshold of comfort every time you get a chance. What is the worst that could happen? They will ignore you; you’ll get a rejection email but at least you’ll know you tried and won’t have any regrets because not taking that chance means you fail by default.
Think of what could go right? That total stranger you just complimented could start a conversation and become a good friend or you’ll get an interview call. I was skeptical to start this blog but here I am, facing my fears. It is the small things that matter and help you learn and thrive.
If you have been thinking about doing something risky or taking that chance, think of this as a sign to do it! Go ahead, you might fail, you might succeed but most importantly you’ll LEARN and never regret.