FlowJuggler

Hey, I’m in a book!

I recently was referred to in the book Choose a Better Life by Stephanie Hester .  Preview ‘my’ chapter below and go buy the book at Amazon!

Taking Risks, Big Payoff

Everything we do in life comes with risk. Whether we are driving our children to school or reaching out to meet our neighbors or stepping into a new leadership role, everything we do comes with some measure of risk. So, why is it that we so often fear taking risks?

There are a few of us thrill-seekers who enjoy taking risks, at least in some area of our lives.  But most people become fearful and anxious when they think of stepping out of their comfort zone and doing something different. Hearts begin to race, palms become sweaty and emotions well up. Taking risks scares us.

I believe it is because we buy into Webster’s definition of risk. It says risk is the “exposure to the chance of injury or loss; danger.” By that definition risk is negative.

But, what Webster’s doesn’t include, and what we often forget, is that risk offers a tremendous payoff. The satisfaction and growth we can get out of taking a risk, whether or not we achieve “success,” can be tremendous.

Take for example, the single mom who goes back to school to finish her degree so she can pursue a better career that offers more stability for herself and her family. Big risk. Big potential payoff.

Or my friend Paul who got his degree in accounting only to discover his passions lay elsewhere – in entertaining people.  In 1999 he wrote and rehearsed a one-man variety arts show and founded Flow Circus to fulfill the mission of promoting life-long learning and play through the Variety Arts.  He has been performing ever since and he loves it.   Big risk.  Big payoff.

Taking risks does not come without, well … risk. On some level you must be willing to sacrifice one thing for another. And in most cases, the thing sacrificed is comfort. When our lives get into a routine we tend to get comfortable. Changing any part of it means we risk losing that comfort.

In my case, I have sacrificed a “regular” “stable” job to pursue my career of passion. As such, I find things along the way that I need to tweak and I sometimes stumble over mistakes. But, by pursuing my passions and following what I am called to do I also discover that I am stronger and more capable than I thought. I am also constantly growing in new ways and experiencing joy like never before. This makes me a better wife, mom, friend and leader. And, it provides me the opportunity to positively impact the lives of people I come in contact with – my ultimate goal.

Choose a Better Life by choosing to take a risk, even if that risk means trading your comfort for the unknown.