Mae Moments: Taking risks

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By Mae Frances Bing

While doing some self-reflection the last few days, I can across an interesting article by INC. on the fear of taking risk that I would like to share with you. Taking risk can help us grow and become better. Within the article, they shared some mental exercises that could help conquer fear.

Balance your emotions with logic.

Too often, we think our fear is directly related to the level of the risk. The scarier something feels, the riskier it must be. But that’s not an accurate way to gauge risk. 

After all, driving a car probably doesn’t feel risky. But giving a speech in front of a large crowd might feel like a huge risk. Yet your chances of injury or death are much higher when you’re behind the wheel than if you’re onstage.

So, before you talk yourself out of doing something that feels risky, spend a few minutes thinking about the actual level of risk you are up against. Ask yourself, “What risk do I actually face? How can I handle it if it doesn’t work out?”

Take steps to increase your chances of success.

There are lots of steps you can take to reduce the risk that you face. Maybe you decide to spend a lot of time practicing a speech before you deliver it. This could increase your chances of success.

Or maybe you decide to wait until your side hustle is consistently delivering income before you quit your day job and become an entrepreneur. This might be a wise, calculated risk to take.

So rather than spend time trying to decrease your fear about a risk, put your energy into increasing your chances of success. 

Embrace the fact that you might still feel afraid when you take the leap--and that’s OK. Facing your fears is a key component in developing the mental strength you need to be your best.

Build Your Mental Muscle

Taking calculated risks is a great way to build mental strength. Doing things that scare you helps you learn to tolerate uncertainty and anxiety. It also provides you with a chance to sharpen your skills and learn from your mistakes. 

With practice, you can get better at calculating risk. And as you improve, your chances of success will skyrocket.