Taking Risks
Risk-taking can be scary. It takes us out of our comfort zone and puts us in unknown territory.
From my experience, a risk is the very thing that can catapult people into the change they wish to make. Just like risks, though, changes can be quite intimidating.
Keeping track of one’s own risk-taking is an effective way to become more “risk aware.”
For clients who wish to address this area in their life, I have encouraged them to record their efforts to stretch themselves beyond their normal comfort zone, as a way of helping them get a feel for their personal risk-taking styles.
For example, do you carefully measure the up and down sides of each risk? Do you hold yourself back from an opportunity due to a fear of failure? Do you believe in yourself?
To begin making small, low-risk changes, I initiate the idea for a “risk-a-day,” asking clients what small risks they can take daily.
These steps don’t need to be large, as they are just getting a feel for this unknown territory. For example, some have begun by trying to ask someone different to lunch, shop in a store they would never consider going into, or drive home on a less familiar route.
Once someone has begun to explore their new risk-taking experiences, they can continue to develop further by addressing any obstacles that have risen during this exploration, or increase the level of risk taken outside of their comfort zone.
If this is something you’d like to address and work on, I’d be more than happy to help. Visit samnabilcounseling.com to book an appointment!
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