Ever wondered why taking a risk is so difficult? It’s simple. We don’t Respect our Intention, and we don’t Show KOURAGE.

Many of my clients approach me with “I know I need to change, but I don’t know what to do if I….gain confidence, build a better business model, improve my relationship, make more money….will I be okay? What will others think? What will others say? Am I really capable? Can I handle success?

The sad part is we frequently hold back because of other people’s expectations. We make excuses for our behavior because we don’t want to hurt the feelings of someone we love. We drop everything we ever dreamed about because someone doesn’t like this idea. We back down from confrontations because we don’t like conflicts and we find all kinds of ways to avoid taking the risks that will lead us to a more satisfied life.

Katherine Mansfield said “How can you hesitate? Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.

Facing the truth is the hardest part of all. We risk finding out that we are not lovable, not nice, not capable, not worthy, not deserving.

It’s all hogwash.

You’re just as brilliant, just as smart, just as loveable, just as pleasurable as the best person you can think of. Your problem, if you have this problem, is you have a poor self-concept. You never quite measure up to the highest standard you’ve set for other people. The ones you’ve put on the pedestal. The ones who rank higher in life than you do.

So take some risks and put yourself out there. See what happens. I guarantee you it’s a surprise when people respond to you the way you want them to, when business starts to pick up and you get the clients, the orders or the attention you want.

You don’t get anything by hiding, staying at home and refusing to pick up the phone, or by making excuses or blaming circumstances for your lot in life.

Take a risk today.  Do something that you don’t normally do.  See what happens.

And if you have trouble figuring it out…call me