Do you have the potential to change the world?

“Every venture contains an element of risk.”

— My dad, paraphrasing Allardyce T. Merriweather in Little Big Man

“Life contains a particle of risk.”

— The actual quote, according to Google

For most of my life, I’ve been all about playing it safe. Physically, I mean. I’m not athletic, but thanks to my outdoorsy, active parents who took me on adventures before I could barely walk, I’ve had my fair share of close encounters with death.

And maybe that’s why, as I grew older, my tendency has always been to cocoon and let other more foolhardy souls risk life and limb. I was just fine reading about it, thank you.

But some of their adventurous spirit must have soaked into me, because I have been much less risk-averse when it comes to chasing dreams and taking chances in business. Has it been scary? Heck, yeah. Was it worth it?

Heck, yeah.

Here’s what I've found:

Risk Isn’t the Enemy—Fear Is

“Yes, there have been times where something didn’t pay off. That’s part of the learning process. But you take what you learn and make better decisions next time. You risk better. And you get a better result.”

More often than not, the risks taken reap benefits, not whatever feared consequence might have stopped me. And the benefits are usually different than and better than I had even hoped for.

Yes, there have been times where something didn’t pay off. That’s part of the learning process. But you take what you learn and make better decisions next time. You risk better. And you get a better result.

I think that’s a key thing when taking a risk—don’t risk something you can’t afford to lose, because there is the possibility you might lose it. But risk as much as you can afford to lose, because then you have the potential to reap the greatest reward.

The Risk and the Reward

I’m taking a stab and guessing you love to read about other people who take risks.

That’s what fiction and memoir are all about, after all. If someone doesn’t take a risk, then we don’t have much of a story. A person is presented with a challenge, and if they don’t accept it, then let’s close up shop, there’s nothing to see here, everyone go on home.

It’s the people who engage with risk that end up with a story worth telling.

As I’ve gotten older and learned a few things, I have also become less averse to taking physical risks.

While researching The Undine’s Tear, I decided that if we ever have access to an aikido instructor, I want to learn to do it. (I based the martial art of the undines on aikido.)

While researching Finding Heaven, I decided I’d love to try skydiving—once I no longer have dependents living at home (because there is the potential that I’ll lose).

My husband plans to hold me to that one.

He’s a much bigger physical risk-taker than me. I’m a much bigger business- and dream-chasing risk-taker than him.

But then, he’s taken more physical risks and has trained more than I have and has seen more success. And I’ve seen the rewards of taking personal risks more often, so essentially, I’ve had more “training” in that area than he has. We balance each other out and keep each other from getting stagnant in our own comfort zones.

Changing the World is Risky

We need people in our lives who challenge us to go beyond where we are comfortable. We were made to push boundaries, to explore beyond what we know, and to change the world.

Don’t think one person can change the world?

Mahatma Ghandi, Rosa Parks, and Jesus Christ (to name only a few) would all disagree. But they didn't change the world by staying in the mould that was made for them. They took risks. Big ones.

Have you become a little too comfortable? Has it been a while since you felt that “I’m not sure if I know what I’m doing” feeling? Maybe it’s time to change that.

What’s Worth the Risk to You?

We’re approaching the end of the year, and this is usually a good time to evaluate where you’ve been and decide if you need a change of direction. As you’re making your plans for next year, add at least one thing to your list that scares you.

You could even do one thing every day that scares you.

A small act of kindness that feels like a risk because it could be rejected. A larger act of putting yourself or your ideas out there. Learning something new. Hiking a new trail. Going to a new place. Meeting a new person and getting to know them. These are all risks.

It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be something that pushes your comfort zone and trains you to risk better next time.

That’s how we grow, change, and keep becoming the people we have the potential to be. That’s how we end up with a story worth telling.

To me, that’s worth the risk.

“Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?”

— Jimmy Johnson, American football coach

This post was originally published in the Books & Inspiration Newsletter on 2019-11-14.

WIP: A Heartwarming Love Story About Taking Risks

Speaking of taking risks, my current work-in-progress, Every Rose that Blooms (Peace Country Romance Book 3), is all about taking chances—on dreams, on love, on yourself. And I’m working hard to complete the first draft this month as part of the Novel November challenge. At six chapters and around 18k words in, I’m on track so far!

You can track my progress on the Books and Tea League member home page. (I’ll try to update it every day).

Even better, you can get early access to the book as a premium member. Check out the free first chapters to get started.

About Every Rose that Blooms

Sometimes the love you long for blooms right before your eyes.

Luke Anderson dreams of turning his side art hustle into a full-time business, but taking the leap feels as daunting as telling feisty florist Maddie Kennedy how he truly feels. After she proposes a creative partnership backed by an angel investor, he thinks he’ll finally get his opportunity. But when he discovers their silent partner is his charming rival, will Luke risk it all for the sake of their blossoming love?

Start reading for free

I can’t wait for you to meet Luke and Maddie. I hope their story makes you smile as much as it is while I’m writing it.