“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”
I love this quote because, when we think about safety, sometimes we get lulled into thinking that sitting on the sidelines is the safe way to go. But if you think about your life or have observed any successful person, taking risks is necessary to progress. In other words, you’re going to miss every opportunity you don’t pursue.
“Risk is a necessary component of any progress that you’ve ever made in your life.”
When you do something out of your comfort zone, it can be scary, but this is where you make progress. A baby who starts taking steps in an attempt to walk is going to fall hundreds of times before finally learning how to walk. Successful Bamboo Farmers are no different. They were beginners, but they kept watering the bamboo and putting in the work. They took smart risks so they could progress towards their goals.
People often say that if we try something new, something could go wrong or make a mistake. But let’s first break down the word “mistake.” It’s short for “missed take.” Meaning we missed this time, but we can try again and make progress the next attempt. To grow, we simply cannot play it safe. Safeway is just a grocery store, and it’s no way to live your life.
If I’ve convinced you to step out of your comfort zone and take smart risks, here are five steps to help you get started:
Start by taking small risks. There’s no pressure to go out and take some grandiose risk. Start with baby steps. As you get comfortable, you can push a little more each time. The experience is what you need to continue on your journey.
Keep your encouragers nearby. I talk about the importance of having a Bamboo Circle, a group of people who support you throughout your journey. Keep the people close to you who will provide feedback and push and encourage you on your way to your bamboo dreams. Rid yourself of the naysayers and those that hold you back.
Remember that it’s messy in the garden. Watering the Bamboo can be messy, as I wrote about in my book Water the Bamboo. Taking smart risks may not be smooth, but it also doesn’t mean it’s wrong, and we might even be on the right track. Just make sure to clean up the garden along the way by taking care of yourself.
Connect your smart risks to your purpose and passion. When it gets messy in the garden, it’s easy to give in to that feeling of wanting to give up. But when you’re clear about your purpose and have passion for the watering process, then you’ll stick with the plan.
Embrace your mistakes. Mistakes don’t have to be all bad. It gives us the experience needed to try again and succeed. Reflect on your mistakes, learn from them, and go after it again. Persistence will pay off.
This post is based on a podcast episode by Greg Bell.
Listen below for the full episode: