The Importance of Risk-taking

Taking small, manageable steps out of your comfort zone is the first step to healthy risk-taking.

I have spent much of my life playing it safe and following the rules because that’s what “nice girls” do. The thing is, there is no guarantee of safety in life no matter how well behaved you are. If I want something, I have to take a healthy risk and assert myself. 

One of the books that helped me become stronger and risk more was Babcock and Laschever’s Women Don’t Ask. I reached for it recently and opened a dog-eared page about women’s early fears of taking social risks. 

Girls’ greater sense of caution may prevent them from breaking rules and challenging the status quo while they’re growing up. As a result, they may not discover that this kind of risk taking - and by extension any unsanctioned approach to getting what they want (such as asking for something when it hasn’t been offered) - can be a successful strategy. 

There are many personal and professional benefits to challenging the status quo and taking a healthy risk. Not only can it increase self-confidence, it can bolster emotional resilience, reduce regret, and is a step in overcoming fear. 

Challenge yourself to change from passive to active. At first, it may seem overwhelming to go out of your comfort zone, but everyone can begin to take healthy risks by:

• Starting small and keeping it manageable

• Considering the downsides and evaluating your willingness to accept them

• Seeking support from others who will cheer you on and hold you accountable

• Creating a reasonable plan

By risking in small steps we change neural pathways and open ourselves to new possibilities. If this feels difficult for you to do alone, coaching can help.