Discover How to Take More Risks, Broaden Your Horizons—And Bet on Yourself
Plus learn how your vulnerability may be your greatest strength
They say fortune favors the bold, but taking a leap of faith is easier said than done—especially when it means trying something new and, let’s face it, a bit scary. Yet the greatest success stories begin when we find the courage to bet on ourselves. Here, experts share study-proven ways to outsmart fear, ditch our comfort zone and take the kinds of smart risks that will lead to unexpected rewards.
Embrace strategic risk
One of the biggest misconceptions about risk-taking is that if something feels uncomfortable, it’s a sign to back away, says leadership coach Henna Pryor, author of Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You. “But decades of research on personal growth have taught us this: Bravery and awkwardness are sisters in this game of life. Ask yourself, ‘Does this risk align with my values? Is it moving me toward something I care about?’ If yes, expect some cringe,” she says with a laugh. “The biggest payoffs live just past that initial awkward phase.”
Savor small wins
Many of us have a risk aversion muscle that got overdeveloped somewhere along the way, possibly because taking a risk once led to embarrassment, says Pryor, explaining that a great way to loosen risk aversion’s grip is to ask yourself, “What’s one small action I can take to build tolerance for uncertainty?” Start with bite-size, winnable risks, like speaking up in a meeting, volunteering for a project slightly outside your wheelhouse or striking up a 5-minute conversation with someone new.
Breathe in bravery
Breathe out fear, encourages personal and leadership development expert Margie Warrell, author The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action, who says our physiology impacts our psychology. In other words, taking a few deep breaths helps regulate anxiety. Another easy way to flex your risk-taking muscles is by emulating someone you admire—a kind of “courage avatar.” “Imagine them in your shoes and how they’d approach your challenge,” she says. “How would they talk, walk or hold themselves?” Even standing tall by practicing what Warrell calls “postural expansiveness” sends a signal to your brain that “you’ve got this.”
Sidestep this ‘tax’
When it comes to taking more interpersonal risks, ask yourself: What’s the hidden price I might be paying by not putting myself out there? This is what Warrell calls the “timidity tax,” the invisible price we pay when we’re too cautious, especially in relationships. “For example, if you have a friend who is always late to your lunch dates and you’ve been afraid to say something, the hidden tax you might be paying could take the form of your festering resentment.” Pinpointing uncomfortable feelings you’re pushing down helps you find the emotional courage to speak up.
Boost your resilience
Another word for courage is vulnerability, according to pastor Steve Holt, author of Breakthrough Courage. “One of the biggest reasons we don’t take more risks in life is that we don’t realize just how powerful we truly are,” he says. Whether you’ve faced a divorce, a layoff or another challenge that affected your sense of self, it helps to talk about it with the people you trust. Holt calls this sacred inner circle your “bloodstained allies” because they have been through their own “wars” and can help you win yours.
Forgive yourself
“We all have moments when we don’t do the thing that will help us grow,” says Warrell. And that’s okay! Instead of beating yourself up, forgive yourself because you’re human—no one is courageous all the time. “Self-compassion is a much stronger predictor of success than self-esteem,” she notes. Being kind to yourself may just be the best way to step forward toward a braver version of yourself.
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