Want to be Successful? Take a Risk!

When was the last time you took a real risk in your life?

A time when you got out of your comfort zone and did something that scared you?

Most people don’t take those kinds of risks. They continue to do the same things every day that bring them comfort—and they never get to that next level in their lives.

If you have a dream that you want to achieve, you MUST take risks.

I learned that lesson years ago, when I was getting through the toughest time of my life. I was broke, but I hunkered down and got to work on my business.

It was then that I found out that friend of mine in Australia was not planning on renewing her distributorship. I decided to take a risk and borrow money from a friend to fly her to Nashville to go to a conference with me.

The risk paid off: She decided to go all in and stay in the business. But I knew that I had a lot more work to do with her.

I wasn’t sure what to do next, but everyone said to me, “Loren, you need to go to Australia and spend time with her.”

So, I did the only thing that I could. I borrowed more money to go to Australia and work with her.

It was scary borrowing money and making those big moves. But I knew that our business wouldn’t thrive if I didn’t do it.

And you know what?

Today, she is the #1 person in all of Australia for our business!

All because I didn’t just sit on the sidelines because I couldn’t afford a plane ticket.

Ever since then, I make it a habit to take risks, whether it’s by hiring new people to help me with my business or creating new products like my “I Am” Cards.

I’m not comfortable every time I take a risk—in fact, many times I’m nervous—but I do it anyway because I know that’s what I need to do to move my business and my life forward.

So, is it time for you to take some risks in your life? Here are 5 tips to help you get over your fears and take the leap:

1. Start small.

You don’t have to do something big like quit your job today. If you feel like you’ve been living your life a little too safely and quietly, start by taking some small risks.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Order something new off of the menu
• Strike up a conversation with a stranger
• Offer to help your neighbor carry their groceries inside
• Go to a Meetup group
• Try a new sport, like Krav Maga or pole dancing
• Start a group or club
• Travel someplace you’ve never been before
• Ask someone out on a date, or ask someone you just met out on a “friend date”
• Do something that scares and challenges you, like planning an event or taking on a new project at work
• Ask for something, like a favor or a raise at work
• Speak in public or do karaoke in front of a crowd
• Do a 30-day challenge or boot camp

If you make risk-taking a habit, the less scary it will become and the more ready you will be to take a big plunge!

2. Weigh the risks and benefits.

The reason why we don’t feel comfortable taking risks is because of one thing: FEAR.

So, stare down your fear. What is it? What are you so afraid of?

What is the worst thing that could happen?

With my trip to Australia, the worst thing that could happen was … nothing. I would have invested my time and money into something that didn’t offer any payback.

I would have been set back financially for a few months and I would have felt disappointed. But is that really the worst thing in the world? Definitely not. It was something I would have bounced right back from.

The benefit was growing my business and helping a friend. In this scenario, the benefits far outweighed the risks.

When you can deconstruct your risks in this way, you’ll see that the risks worth taking are not that scary.

Let go of your fear, focus on the positive outcomes and just do it.

3. Focus on growth.

Risks are a part of life. Without risks, you cannot grow.

Would you rather be stuck where you are? Or would you rather become bolder, more daring and more confident—and watch your dream life take shape?

I’m always on a mission to make my life even better, to improve myself as a person and to give more to others. These things are not possible without risks.

4. Ask yourself: “Will I regret not doing this?”

Regrets can be a huge motivator. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to come to the end of your life and regret anything!

A risk is worth taking when you feel a strong pull to do it, when you know that if you DON’T do it you’ll always ask yourself “what if”?

If you’ve been thinking about making a move for a while now and you know that you’ll regret it if you don’t, it’s time to stop talking and get to work!

5. Embrace the thrill of risk-taking.

Risks can be scary—but they can also be fun and exciting. And that’s the stuff that really makes life worth living!

Think back to the biggest risks you’ve ever taken in your life. I’ll bet that in addition to feeling scared, you also felt exhilarated and pumped for what was to come.

If you’re in a rut in your life, the best way out of it is to take a risk.

I recently flew on a flying trapeze with my LoBella ladies. Yeah, it was scary—but also super thrilling and fun!

What risk will you take today? What risk have you been thinking about for a while—that you are almost ready to take? Share with me in the comments below!

As Harry Gray said, “No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe.”

Let’s all get out of our comfort zones together! It is there that we will find greatness. 🙂