Story of the Week
Why Playing It Safe Keeps You Stuck
It’s easy to stay comfortable. It’s easy to keep doing what you know, even if it’s not working. But comfort rarely leads to growth.
The biggest breakthroughs in my business — and in the businesses of every successful entrepreneur I know — came from making a bold move, not from playing it safe.
But let’s be real: bold moves are scary. They come with risk. And most of us are wired to avoid risk, especially when things feel “good enough.”
How to Take Smarter Risks (Without Blowing Everything Up)
I’m not saying you should bet the farm or make reckless decisions. Bold doesn’t have to mean foolish. Here’s how to take bigger swings — safely:
1. Do Your Research
Before you leap, learn from others who’ve done something similar. What worked? What didn’t? What would they do differently? The right research can help you avoid obvious pitfalls.
2. Find a Mentor or Guide
Talk to someone who’s already walked the path. A mentor can help you see blind spots, challenge your assumptions, and give you the confidence to move forward.
3. Start with a Pilot or Test
You don’t have to go all in right away. Try a small version of your bold idea — a pilot program, test launch, or limited run. See what happens, learn from it, and then scale up.
4. Build a Safety Net
What’s the worst-case scenario? How can you protect yourself if things don’t go as planned? That might mean keeping your day job while you launch a side hustle or setting a firm budget for your experiment.
5. Get Accountability
Tell someone about your bold move. When you make your commitment public, you’re more likely to follow through — and you’ll have support if things get tough.
What Bold Move Could You Make?
- Launch a new product or service you’ve been thinking about for years
- Pitch yourself for a speaking gig or podcast you don’t feel “ready” for
- Invest in a coach, course, or mastermind that scares you (in a good way)
- Change your business model, pricing, or target audience
- Take a sabbatical to recharge and rethink your direction
Your Challenge
This week, ask yourself:
- What’s one bold move I’ve been avoiding?
- What’s the smallest version of that move I could try, just to see what happens?
Remember: without bold moves, you don’t get bold results. Sometimes, the change you want requires a leap you’ve been too afraid to take.
Here’s to making the leap — safely, and with intention!
