Thirty Risks to Take

Be bold, be brave and have fun. You never know where it might take you…

What do I mean by risk?

Risk is the first time we take the training wheels off our bike as kids. It’s our first kiss and the first time we say, “I love you.” Our first trip overseas. Having a difficult conversation, changing careers, starting a business. Putting all on black. Bungee jumping.

It’s when we head out into the unknown, we don’t know how things are going to turn out and there’s plenty we can’t control. It’s the butterflies in our stomach it brings on — that might be because we’re excited, scared or both.

When we take those risks, we explore our possible. Find out what we love, what we don’t love. What we’re good at, what we suck at. We grow, we learn. As Doug Sundeheim says in his book ‘Taking Smart Risks’, “If you want to keep moving forward, you have to take risks.” Whether we’re leading an organisation or looking at our own lives, taking it forward and growing involves taking risks.

In my article, ‘Ten Reasons to Take Risk’, I went into why we should be taking risk more regularly. In this article, I give you some ideas.

30 risks to take

Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Try a new hobby

This could be anything from pottery to dance classes. There is so much out there — try lots of different things and maybe uncover new passions.

2. Volunteer

What causes do you care about? Go and support them — it might be a one off like a tree planting session, to joining the board of a charity, to becoming a surf lifesaver. You’ll get the warm fuzzy feel from giving back, meet new people and you never know where it might take you. Becoming a volunteer surf lifesaver was life changing for me and took elements of my life on a new trajectory.

3. New Sport

Always thought about rock climbing? Go do it. Fancy yourself as the next Kelly Slater or Steph Gilmore? It’s only going to happen if you get out in the waves and give it a crack.

4. Enter a new and/or challenging competition

So, you’ve run 5km, go enter a half marathon or full marathon? You’ve started ocean swimming — enter an ocean race. Pick something that’s going to really push you.

5. Learn a language (and practice with a native speaker)

There are so many great apps — start learning and then be brave and find a native speaker to speak to. I did this before I went backpacking solo in South America. Let’s just say languages aren’t my forte and my Spanish teacher said how she’d love to be a fly on the wall when I first had to speak there. It was basic, but I got food, places to stay and bus and train tickets, actually to the places I needed to get to. It wasn’t pretty, but it got me the essentials!

6. Solo travel

A weekend away at a spa through to backpacking around the world. I love travelling solo! But I am an only child, so the whole doing things solo is kind of my modus operandi. If it’s not your usual approach, give it a try. Start small with a night away.

7. Start a blog or vlog

With no following, to begin with you might be shouting into the wind — which means what have you got to lose? Do it on something you’re passionate about, or really want to explore. Then start sharing it with your friends.

8. Face a fear

Afraid of snake (I’m terrified) — then go to a reptile house. Scared of heights — try abseiling or a bungee. Scared of deep water — join an ocean swim group. There is nothing more liberating than overcoming a fear and the feel of it losing its power over us. Often what we really want is the other side of fear…

9. Go to a networking event

These can be painful, I know — but one I went to I unexpectedly made a wonderful new friend. Through that I was invited to contribute to a book she was creating. You never know who you might meet.

10. Give a talk

Yeah, pretty much a huge fear for most of us. But in this era of online events, there are less terrifying ways to do this. Perhaps start by going to your local toastmasters. Offer a short talk, workshop or lead a discussion session with a small group of friends or colleagues. Take small steps to develop this valuable skill.

11. Give a compliment

I had a friend who was excellent at this — from making a simple observation on a new hairdo, to sending a thank you to a restaurant after we’d been particularly well looked after. Find ways to give compliments — perhaps to someone who helped you at work or did a good job. It feels good, when you get that instant smile from the recipient. Looking for ways to give compliments also takes our focus outside of ourselves.

12. Go to the cinema or restaurant on your own

When I went backpacking around the world solo I had no choice but to eat out solo. I felt self-conscious to begin with, but it got easier. Now I enjoy it, often taking a book to read or diary to write.

13. Visit somewhere new

It could be a museum, somewhere you haven’t been in your hometown to a new destination abroad.

14. Go on a course

Perhaps something big like committing to an MBA or smaller, like a first aid course. With that, you could end up saving a life. If you’re stuck for ideas, check out your local community adult education centre.

15. Tell someone how much you appreciate them

Write a card to someone to let them know how much you value them and love about them.

16. Set yourself a challenge

Online there are heaps of free challenges such as daily yoga or meditation for a month. Or set your own — to take a photo each day and put on social media — watch the sunrise every day for a week, go for a walk each day. Make it something that pushes you.

17. Spend time alone

A step down from going off travelling solo. You might take yourself on a date day — a day filled with self-care. Go to the beach or for a walk alone. Bonus points if you switch the phone off.

18. Start a side hustle

Always wanted to start your own business? Begin small and lower risk by starting it on the side. Make a plan and do it!

19. Say no when you would normally say yes (reluctantly)

This is a good one, if like me you’re not great at setting and maintaining personal boundaries.

20. Say yes when you would normally say no

If saying yes scares you, say yes! You never know where it might take you! If you’re feeling brave, spend a week saying yes to everything. Well, everything legal…

21. Pick something to let go of / forgive yourself for

We all have things to let go of — beliefs that don’t serve us. Or things we need to forgive ourselves for, like old doors needing to be closed. I like Kamal Ravikant’s approach on writing a letter to forgive ourselves covered in this blog https://kamal.blog/2016/06/22/forgiveness/ and in more detail in his book.

22. Go to a silent retreat

As a talker this is not one I’d rush to sign up for, but it’s on my list. You’ll benefit from a digital detox, take joy in the world around you, have the space to explore your thoughts, meditate and more.

23. Ask someone to be your mentor

The benefits of a good mentor can be substantial, from growing your network, to improved goal setting and execution, exposure to different perspectives, guided decision making and leverage through their experience. This doesn’t necessarily mean formally asking someone to be a mentor, but building a relationship with someone who has already shown support or interest in you.

24. Ask someone on a date

In the world of dating apps, this is less scary. If you always wait for them to suggest meeting up, try taking the first step for a change. If you’ve matched and exchanged a few messages, there’s a good chance they’ll say yes. Worst case they say no, or unmatch you. Their loss. Away from the apps, suggest a coffee, or a walk with someone you’re interested in.

25. Write down a big goal and take a step towards it

A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step, as Lao Tzu said. Make a plan broken into really small, bite size chunks and start working through them. Build some momentum and you’ll get there quicker than you think.

26. Reach out to someone you don’t know and expand your network

In the digital age this is far easier with social media platforms. Like the dating, the worst thing that can happen is they say no. When you do it, don’t go with a sell. You might start with a positive comment, a unique insight or point of view. Do your homework on them (without coming across as a stalker!) and give positive feedback.

27. Ask for feedback

It might sting a little, but you’ll benefit in the long run. Park your ego and ask where you might be able to improve, how you could have done things differently. Ask for feedback on your ideas.

28. Practice honesty, even if it is just with yourself

Journal and be honest. Write like no one is going to read it, but be honest about your feelings and emotions. With close friends and partners, if this is something that you struggle with, practice honest communication, sensitively delivered, about how you feel, or how they make you feel, both positive and negative and build deeper connections.

29. Write a book

Like with the journal, begin by writing as though no one is going to ready it. It can be fiction or non-fiction. It can be long or short. You might publish it, you might not, but enjoy the creative process.

30. Do a fundraiser

Giving back comes with a guaranteed feel-good factor. Organise a fundraiser or join an existing one and raise some money. Asking for donations can be a bit icky, but if you do it for a cause you’re passionate about, it’s gonna be easier.

I encourage you to have a crack at some of the above, if you haven’t already. Perhaps add some to your goals for 2022. And keep trying new things — you never know where it might take you.

Let me know how you go.

Sarah x x