Risk. Are you willing to take it?

Risk and dreams. They usually go hand in hand and although risk scares us, progress comes at a price, so are you willing to pay that price?

"There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is not learning from experience."

Progress comes at a price. it might be giving up some of your favorite treats for a while for a goal, giving up a little extra sleep to get it done in the morning. it might be not going out every weekend spending money or spending all your time with friends. You might have to cut out going out to eat often. it might seem boring and you might be ridiculed by others but when you’re heading towards your goals, you will progress and reach those goals. ( of course there are some prices that shouldn’t be paid and that’s for a different post.. IE never spending time with spouse, kids, family.) 

We’re too comfortable being comfortable. It’s easier to keep living a life you know will get the you paycheck, play it safe, get judged less, not put yourself out there, not stretch you, not take away your personal time and not failing. It’s easy. But risk is essential when you have dreams and goals you want to accomplish. It's scary when you know you might fail. You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, pushed, pulled to your limits and challenged. It will make you stronger, better, and happier.

So here are a few things comparing the risks you take and the victories you get from taking risks.

I fail too. I take risks and I fail often. Ideas that i can't follow through or accomplish. Visions i have but they don't turn out how i imagined. Cold marketing where i get turned down. What a real fail is though, is when we don't try or give up because we're scared. (i wrote a post about failure before you can read here.) Now more than ever i am embracing risks, hardships, and failing. Why? because i'm seeing the rewards, i'm coming through with victories of new ideas, pushing harder, and realizing my potential. 

How can you realistically start take small risks?

You might start by joining a group or activity you've wanted to (women's, fitness, hiking, book club, wine club, business groups etc), reading new books that are centered around business or self-help. It could be the first time you cold market yourself, or even when you see someone and feel compelled to compliment them, do it. Reach out to someone. It doesn't have to start with a huge risk like quitting your job or changing everything in your pantry to be more healthy. Those changes only occur when you change small things daily. You'll look back and see how much has changed by simply doing something small everyday. Soon you will conquer your fears. "You will never change your life, until you change something you do daily." John C. Maxwell (start with one of his books if you're not sure!)

I truly understand taking risks and being vulnerable is scary, but not reaching your potential and discovering your purpose... is much worse. I believe we have the drive, we just have to start with those small steps. 

"A ship in harbor is safe – but that is not what ships are for." John A. Shedd

Keep Shining

-Shanna Star

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