There is a common thread of wisdom that both the successful entrepreneur and conventional business man agree upon. It is fast becoming apparent that worthwhile aspirations are rarely accomplished when we play it safe. When we forgo the security of what we know, and expand from comfort into the courage zone, then all kinds of possibilities that weren’t possible before suddenly become real. This realisation can be a truly euphoric experience!
Andy Stanley, the author who wrote “Fields of Gold”, is the person responsible for the following quote:
Often, stepping outside your comfort zone is not careless irresponsibility, but a necessary act of obedience.
This statement just about says it all with regards to how true financial success can only be achieved when we are prepared to take risks, even if the risk has been calculated. Todays’ entrepreneur well-knows that in an increasingly competitive Global economic community, the discomfort of uncertainty leads to the biggest reward.
The perimeter of the courage zone does not need to expand at the same pace for everyone, but as long as it keeps expanding – the sky, as they say, is the limit. Bigger challenges can be handled in the future, as more confidence is gained. Not everything we are willing to take a risk on works out in the end, but the willingness to make mistakes is what truly matters.
Many successful people tell us that they don’t do what is expected of them, they are driven by what inspires them the most. So, we don’t necessarily have to do what scares us, but rather what inspires us. A willingness to push boundaries, and challenge assumptions may mean we need nerves of steel, and might not be for the faint of heart, but we also learn loads from criticism, and experiencing setbacks. At the risk of being exposed, should we protect out patch of power, and pride, or get out there, toot our own horns, ruffle feathers and get noticed. We think you know the answer to that.
On-going assessment of the decisions we make allows us to manage any fear of failure or rejection. Yes, at times we all feel exposed and vulnerable, but does that mean we should play it safe? No, it means we need to continually and proactively seek out new challenges, move forward, and attempt to take positive action. Doing what we have always done, if this means being safe, secure and comfortable, only leads to the same results.
No failure is ever one cataclysmic event – it is simply making the same mistakes over again without learning from them. Therefore, our failures were never mistakes, they do not determine our future success, but are simply a benchmark for how to move forward into success. Using the discomfort of uncertainty to achieve success, is simply a matter of engaging with the movement of life, stepping onto centre stage, doing whatever it is we have been putting off, and participating boldly in our own lives. This attitude opens up all sorts of possibilities for new ideas, opportunities, relationships, and successes to bloom.
