Finding Motivation for Taking Risks

Crucial Insight on Risks Taking and How to Use This Skill for Success

Finding motivation for taking risks can be tricky. You see, most of us do not want to venture into uncharted territory, especially when we realize there may be discomfort or pain along the way. How how can we motivate ourselves forward? The following real-life observation will provide you with powerful insight to help.

My son is an athlete who loves youth football. I noticed that while all the kids practiced everyday - when it came time to play the game many of the kids chickened out. Instead, they stood on the sideline and watched. Taking a chance terrified these kids so much that finding motivation to actually play was wiped out by fear. These kids were afraid of getting hurt, making mistakes, and being yelled at by the coaches and parents.

Needless to say, I was amazed when one of the coaches admitted the same small group of kids played both offense and defense, because other kids were afraid to play. It made me wonder why they wanted to be a part often team in the first place.

Then it dawned on me - these kids represent what many of us go through on a daily basis. Our game is life and just like these kids, many of us avoid taking risks. Our first inclination is to avoid discomfort and pain. The problem is, however, without taking risks, we never truly experience the exhilaration and thrill of success and achievement. As it stands, anything worth achieving comes with some sort of pain or discomfort.

Whether it is chance taken starting a business, standing up for yourself, entering into a new relationship, or pursuing a promotion at work - we open ourselves up to potential loss, pain, and rejection. Hence the saying, "no pain, no gain."

We Have to Play The Game

Just like these kids who have difficulty finding motivation for taking risks - preferring to sit on the sidelines and watch - we often do the same thing. We tell ourselves things like, "I cannot start my own business, the timing is not right." Or, "I do not need a relationship right now - look what happened with Mary and Steve."

Meanwhile, we continue to play it safe, wanting our lives to be better, but afraid to reach for more. We allow our aversion to taking risks to keep us out of the game. We become the spectators for the people who are enjoying life and succeeding.

Of course, the kids taking risks on the football field did experience the discomfort of making mistakes, being tackled by their opponents, being yelled at by the coaches, and suffering injuries. These kids even experienced losing the game. Interestingly, these same kids experienced the thrill of scoring touchdowns, the exhilaration of making a big play, and the excitement of winning the game.

The more these kids braved playing the game, the better they became at overcoming obstacles, dealing with setbacks, and experiencing success. Surprisingly, these same kids always seem to look forward to coming back and playing the next season.

Lesson #1: Finding motivation for taking risks - You cannot find success unless you are willing to play the game.

Taking Risks the Smart Way

When taking risks we need to be intelligent about it. I often wondered if the kids who were afraid of taking risks on the football field were playing the right game. Not every kid is meant to be a football player. One thing successful people often advise is to do what you love and acquire the needed skills and knowledge to succeed.

Just as kids are pushed into playing sports by well-meaning parents, as adults we can be pushed into games we do not want to play (career, relationships, etc..). If a game is not for you, then you need to stop playing and then find the right game.

Lesson #2: Finding motivation for taking risks - Make sure you are playing the right game. If you are not passionate about what you are doing motivating yourself is an uphill battle.

Lesson #3: Prepare. Youth football coaches prepare their players by teaching them the game, conducting practice, studying the opponents, and planning the game day strategy. You must do the same. If you are willing to take a chance then set the odds so you are more likely to experience success.

Lesson #4: The external conditions in which you must play should not be your primary concern for taking risks. I realized that while my son's team was not always more talented than their opponents they stayed focus on their mission proving that the better team did not always win. Intangibles such as tenacity, heart, and will are powerful factors.

Unfortunately, many times, we decide not to pursue a new job, because of the competition or we chose not to start our own business, because similar businesses already exists. I can tell you, we often short-change ourselves when we think like this.

Always remember, taking risks is key to your success. More importantly, you can not succeed unless you play the game. Significantly increase your odds for success by ensuring you are playing the right game. Lastly, taking risks becomes a little more comfortable when you do so smartly. Hopefully, this insight will help finding motivation a little easier, because not taking risks will decrease your chances for achievement and success.

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