How to Get Motivated When You’re Stuck in a Slump
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We’ve all heard it before: “Take risks!” But what does that actually mean? It’s easy to mix up “risk” and “chance”—but they’re not the same thing, and how you use each can totally shape the life you end up building. Let’s break down why risk-taking is worth it and how to do it with purpose, not just on a whim.
What’s the Difference Between Taking Risks and Taking Chances?
Taking Chances: When you take a chance, you’re going all-in on hope and assuming everything will magically work itself out. It’s a leap of faith. Chances can be amazing, but they rely on luck and leave success up to things you can’t control.
Taking Risks: This is a whole different story. Taking a risk means you’re preparing, doing the work, and making a plan. It’s about being intentional—you’ve got a vision and a roadmap, and you’re ready to anticipate and tackle obstacles that come up. You increase your odds of success because you know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
Real Risk-Takers Aren’t Actually Reckless
When we think “risk-taker,” we often imagine extreme stuff—skydiving, base jumping, high-speed car racing. And, yeah, if you or I tried those things without training, it’d be risky (and maybe kind of dangerous). But here’s the thing: for people who actually do these things, it’s not just pure risk. They’ve prepared, they’ve learned the skills, and they’ve got safety systems in place. These aren’t reckless actions—they’re calculated risks.
For the rest of us, this could mean finally trying something outside of our comfort zone, like traveling alone or switching career paths. Fear can hold us back, but understanding that risk doesn’t always mean danger can help us break out of that mental trap.
Why Most People Don’t Take Risks: Fear of Failure
Fear of failure is huge. We get it. It’s natural. Fear protects us from doing things like getting too close to the edge of a cliff or attempting ten shots of tequila on an empty stomach. But when it starts holding you back from trying new things, it keeps you stuck.
If you want to change something big in your life, you have to see the difference between the life you have now and the life you want. Knowing the work that’s needed to get there? That’s what real risk-taking is all about.
Risk Isn’t Just About Confidence; It’s About Knowing You’ll Be Okay, Even If You Fail
People think taking risks means you’re super confident you’ll succeed, but actually, it’s about being okay with any outcome. You know you’re prepared, and that even if things don’t go perfectly, you can handle it.
This also means being aware of the emotional side of risk. Some things seem so terrifying that we can’t even imagine trying them. Start small—taking little risks here and there helps you build the resilience to try bigger things later on.
Building Your “Risk Muscle”: Start Small, Redefine Failure, Find a Support System
Start with Little Risks: Try ordering something different at your favorite coffee shop, take a solo day trip, or sign up for a class that seems intriguing but maybe a little out of your comfort zone. Even these tiny steps help you get used to uncertainty.
Redefine Failure: If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying new things. You can learn just as much (or more!) from failure as from success. Acknowledge that the process itself is valuable.
Get Your People on Board: Surround yourself with friends or mentors who also take risks or support you in trying new things. It’s way easier to stay motivated with people who get it.
Real Talk: Why You Need a Support System
Imagine Formula 1 drivers. Yeah, they’re speeding around tracks at insane speeds, but they’re not alone. They’ve got a whole team backing them up—mechanics, coaches, medics—ready if anything goes wrong. They’ve built a support system to help them manage the risks of their job.
In real life, this could be close friends, a mentor, or even coworkers you trust. These are people who understand why you’re taking a risk and will support you. Choose people who get that taking risks is about growth, not recklessness.
Is Risk Really Necessary?
If you stay in a safe, comfortable bubble forever, you might never see your biggest dreams come true. Taking risks is essential to turn those dreams into reality. It requires a plan and a commitment to keep moving toward your goals, even when it’s tough.
My High School Story: How Taking Risks Can Pay Off
In high school, I decided I wanted to be class president. I lost—three times! But my senior year, I went big. I ran for school president and actually won. That feeling? Unmatched. Not because I won, but because I didn’t give up. When I think about other challenges, I always think about that time. If I could keep going after losing three years in a row, I can probably handle whatever’s next.
The Art of Taking Calculated Risks
Know Your “Why”: Make sure you’re not doing it for validation or to impress others. Think about the long-term impact of your decision. What would make you proud?
Evaluate the Risk: Before diving in, weigh the pros and cons. Picture a scale, and consider what you’d gain on one side and what you could lose on the other. Be real about what might go wrong and what it would take to handle those outcomes.
Plan Checkpoints: Instead of a “do or die” approach, try mini-goals or checkpoints. If things don’t go as expected, you can reassess and adjust without scrapping your whole plan.
Find Timing that Works: Timing matters. Prepare financially, emotionally, and practically before diving into something big, like a major career change or a cross-country move.
There’s No Such Thing as Wasted Experience
If a risk doesn’t work out, you still gain skills, resilience, and confidence from the journey. Taking a risk isn’t always about succeeding; it’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of handling uncertainty and bouncing back from setbacks.
Benefits of Taking Risks
Sense of Accomplishment: Taking a risk and seeing it through, even if it’s hard, can be incredibly rewarding.
Challenging Old Beliefs: We all carry around limiting beliefs we’ve picked up over the years. Taking risks can break these down, helping you grow and create new, better beliefs.
Self-Discovery: Risks reveal a lot about what you love, what you value, and what you’re capable of. Each one brings you closer to knowing yourself.
Confidence and Flexibility: Every risk builds your confidence and resilience. You learn to adapt, pivot, and find new ways to reach your goals, making you a stronger decision-maker and leader.
No Regrets: Taking risks—even if they don’t work out—often leads to fewer regrets. You’ll know you tried and gave it your best.
So, What’s the Risk You’re Willing to Take?
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what’s the one thing you’d want to try a year from now? Whether it’s moving to a new city, starting a passion project, or learning a new skill, the magic of risk-taking is that it brings you closer to the life you want to live. And isn’t that worth a little uncertainty?