I am often very fascinated by how little risk people take. Not just avoiding HUGE risks, like sky diving or moving to another country, province or state. Some people avoid even the smallest risk like, trying a new food or making a new friend. Here’s what I know; life is much fuller if we take risks. It is said that “A ship is safe harbour of the known, but that’s not what ships are built for.” Like ships, you and I need to get out and explore!
Let’s look at what we know for sure. The life we are living is the one life we have. There may be more adventures after this, but I’m absolutely positive that this one is ours to live as we chose. We are lucky and blessed to live in a free, democratic, progressive, and fairly welcoming country. I am speaking of Canada for those not from my homeland. From the moment most of us get up in the morning we are already ahead of the majority of people on the planet. So that’s STUpendous. The rest is up to us.
Risk adverse people are anxious about the unknown, the possibility of failure, and danger. I get that. I have been flying for almost 30 years quite regularly. For about 25 of those, I loved it. Never thought twice of jumping on a plane and going somewhere new. Then a few years ago, out of know where, I became anxious. As I write this blog, I am on a plane on route to British Columbia and I can feel a lump in my throat. It’s silly because I know I am safer here than in a car (way safer) but I still feel nervous. The key difference being that I am in charge of how I react to that fear and if I will take the risk. So I push through my fear, get on the plane and always fill a little silly at the end that I considered flying to be a risk at all.
There are two types of risks, in my opinion: Legit Risks and Mental Risks.
Legit Risks is where the danger is real, the chance of injury is high, or there is a history of failure. Like doing Parkour 40 stories in the air, jumping on girders with no safety net. That’s a LEGIT risk. I wouldn’t do that.
Mental Risks have very little chance of physical pain. There is potential for hurt feelings, discomfort due to having to change, or being thrown into a feeling of sadness. This includes asking someone out on a date, quitting a job, starting a new job, writing that book, or maybe eating some new exotic food. Chances are that once you try whatever it is, you will still be alive and kicking at the end.
The amazing thing about risk taking is that once you have taken it, your life expands. You become more open to the next opportunity. That’s the most important thing to remember.
Consider this, risks are often really amazing opportunities. Once taken you will know more about what yourself: what you like, dislike, love or hate.
I once heard it said that to cure racism, you should travel; go to the country or place of the people you a scared of. That’s what racism really is, being scared of the unknown. Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s just ignorance.
My life has been a constant experiment in risk. When I took over running the
Ontario Student Leadership Conference (OSLC), it was truly scary. Now it’s something I am so excited about! When we started the
SPRING OSLC conference, it was new and scary. When I bought my first summer camp property (
YLCC) or started a
speakers bureau, I was anxious. Now I love them all.
It’s happening again. About 15 months ago I began creating the
Global Student Leadership Conference. It will be the biggest event we have done. Youth leaders and educators from across the planet. More than 50 speakers in 3 days. It is a daunting task. Is there risk? HUGE! Is there reward? Tons, but not financially. To be honest it won’t be a money maker for us. For the thousands that do come to London, Ontario in April it will affect their lives in a positive way. That’s worth it.
I love taking risks, sometimes my team gets stressed when I say, “I have an idea”. They don’t all work out. But, even when they aren’t a success, I learn SO much. So the risk again was worth it.
Go ahead, pull out your journals and write a list of the small risks you are avoiding and the HUGE ones you only dream of. Once you’ve written them down, start checking them off by taking a risk. I can guarantee you in the end it will make your life journey richer, more colourful, and the chapters in your book of life STUpendous.
