Why You NEED to Start Taking Risks NOW

“There is no excuse for anyone living in the United States or anywhere else right now to slog through his or her entire life working at jobs they hate, or even jobs they simply don’t love, in the name of a paycheck or a sense of responsibility.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

“Or even Job’s they simply don’t love.” This part of that brilliant quote from Gary Vaynerchuk is where the drive behind this post comes from. If you don’t simply love your job, why are you still working there? Do you believe you are stuck and are unable to break free? Currently, I am RIGHT there with you. I don’t hate my job by any means, but does it fill me with an insatiable passion that drives me there every single Monday morning? My answer is no, so what is yours? If it is no, what are you doing about it?

This exact scenario can be tied to any part of your life that you may be unhappy with. Are you less than pleased with your weight, your financial situation or your marriage? Taking calculated risks is key to breaking free of the status quo and driving towards a positive change. It is risky to start a diet, begin budgeting, or sitting your spouse down for a lengthy conversation, but isn’t it worth the effort?

Any change in life is ripe with risks, but isn’t the alternative (living a mediocre life) worse than the inherent risk you are taking? Being willing to take risks and to step out of our comfort zones is vital to making the changes we so desperately want for our lives.

In this post we are going to talk about risk taking and why everyone should be doing more of it. It’s time to get real and start taking action with our lives. No more saying “well someday” or “tomorrow.” The time is NOW!

A Brief History of Jordan’s Story

Before you think I am getting all “high and mighty” on you, let me start out by giving a brief synopsis of where my mindset has been for the better part of the last 10 years:

It has NOT been on this subject. I have been distracted by a great many things including school, relationships, and entertainment. Not all of this is bad of course, as I met my beautiful and encouraging wife Miranda during my college years, but the amount of time I have spent playing video games and watching movies is staggering. I could not even begin to guess how many hours I have put into Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Beyond!

The point is, for most of my life I have not taken a great many risks. I have been okay with the status quo and okay with just getting by in life. It took a trip to the Global Leadership Summit to change my perspective on life, and what my priorities should be. My key takeaway and question I continue to ask myself is “what will my legacy be, and how do I go about accomplishing this?”

I am not okay with leaving this world without making a significant difference in it. I believe I have a limitless potential that is just waiting to be tapped.

What will it take for your to recognize the same in yourself? Is your current job the maximum potential you have? If you were to remove certain distractions from your life how much difference could you make in the live’s of others?

You may not share my views and that is okay, but I believe in God. I believe that God has a lot in store for me, and I believe that He will answer my prayers to reach my potential. To quote Mark Batterson in his book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day:

“The more you are willing to risk, the more God can use you. If you are willing to risk everything there is nothing God can’t do in you and through you.”

How poignant is that quote? I believe that God appreciates risk takers and uses them to do a lot of good for the world. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, risk taking is always the first step in making a significant change for yourself.

Taking That First Step

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. -Peter Drucker

Choosing to lose weight, repairing your marriage, or quitting your job involved a first step. What is the first step for changing your life? I can’t answer this question for you, but I can tell you with absolutely certainty that you won’t do it tomorrow or someday.

There is absolutely no time like the present to send an email, make a phone call, or drive to your sibling’s house to repair your broken relationship. All you need to do is get the ball rolling, even if it means that a fight might be coming. Ask yourself if you would rather face that fight now, or face a war later?

Take that first step NOW, take the risk NOW!

“Nolan Bushnell, the creator of the Atari video game system, once stated, ‘Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea, It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it who makes a difference.” ― Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge

Dry yourself off and go for it. Make a difference now while you are still able to.

My first step for weight loss came within the past few years when I switched to the high fiber diet. My first step toward financial freedom and a job I loved was making websites and venturing down that avenue. I have more direction in my life now than I have ever had before.

I have found a purpose, and I cannot even remember the last time that I was bored. I now define boredom as lacking direction and being lazy. How could I possibly be bored if I was working towards a better life for myself and giving back to others? Boredom should be viewed as evil as it can be easily avoided by DOING something worth doing.

I have many risks ahead, but they are risks I am willing to take. I will most assuredly fall flat on my face at times and fail repeatedly, but the hope is that I will be willing to take those risks and continue to work towards my goals.

Working Towards Your Potential

I hope that my words are ringing true for some of you. I don’t pretend to have it all together, but I want to share my thoughts nonetheless. This life is too short to not push to make it great and to leave a lasting legacy. I believe that each person has the amazing opportunity to reach their God given potential, but this requires hard work, dedication, and the willingness to risk it all.

You must be ready to give yourself over to your passion and your vision for your future. No one is going to quit your job for you or repair your broken relationships. Only YOU can decide to take a leap of faith and fulfill your potential.

Remove the distractions from your life and change your perspective. Happiness will follow the action you are taking, and you will start to see how the positive changes you are making effect those around you. Keep at it, and work until you are satisfied with the end result, and then work some more! You need to be in it for the long haul!

Final Thoughts on Taking Risks

What will your action step be? How are you going to change your life and break free of the path you are on? Are you going to start taking risks? If you are okay with living a mediocre life, then by all means let me have it in the comments below! But if you are ready to take a step in the right direction and take a risk, comment and let everyone know what that risk will be, and how we can help you.

We are all in this together, but let’s not be in ordinary. Let us together strive for greatness and strive to make a powerful difference in this world.

“What are you waiting for kid?” “Something amazing I guess!” “Me too Kid…” – The Incredibles

Will you choose to make your life amazing and incredible?

-Jordan