I consider myself risk-averse for the most part. I feel like I’m embracing risk more as I get older, maybe because I realize I don’t want to live with regrets.
If someone had told me twenty years ago that I’d live in a tropical country, run a shop, and write freelance, I would have thought they were crazy, but here I am.
When I look back at the times I’ve felt the fear and done it anyway, there was always an event or an experience that motivated me. I don’t tend to dive into things spontaneously. I’m too much of a thinker.😉
This past weekend, I talked to people about how we ended up living in a foreign country, and I’ve realized that it was one of the few times I didn’t spend too much time thinking about the decision.
If I give myself too much time to make a decision, I can find all kinds of reasons to talk myself out of taking a leap of faith. I’m a professional “worst-case scenario” thinker. I could use that creativity more effectively in writing horror stories. 😂
My risk-taking adventures started when I quit my full-time job to pursue my coaching business and write my first book. Since I shared a personal story, the book was a risk on its own.
Then, I convinced my introverted self that public speaking would boost my visibility and business, so I took a massive step outside my comfort zone and started doing public speaking gigs. Later, I moved to doing podcast interviews as a host and a guest.
While I felt anxious and nervous about each of those choices, I don’t regret them. When I take risks, I learn more about myself and my capabilities. It’s easy to underestimate what’s possible, especially when emotionally invested in the outcome.
That isn’t to say that I’ve become a massive risk-taker. I’m not diving off cliffs or bungee jumping anywhere. I consider those unreasonable risks and leave them to my husband. 😉
I’m learning to train my brain not to think about all the “worst-case scenarios” and focus on the amazing possibilities when I achieve the goal. It’s a better use of time, especially since worrying is negative goal setting, and no one needs to do that! 🩵