Increasing Your Capacity for Risk-Taking

The capacity to take risk is one of the biggest enablers of reaching your full potential and so we want to create a space where risk-takers can come together to talk about how they’ve developed their capacity for risk taking.

Ella Parlor

Risk-taking is in my DNA. The question I ask myself is, “What’s scarier—taking the leap of faith or staying exactly where you are?” If it doesn’t make your heart pound, it might be time to try something new. Throughout my life, risk has been a defining force, shaping both my personal and professional journeys. Read more>>

Melvin Moya

By thinking: “There is a door open, I just need to keep checking which doorknob is unlock ” and if there is no door open at least I can live the rest of my life with the peace in my heart that I try my best and not live with the doubt thinking, if I could it make it” That doubt can eat you alive until you die and live a life of regrets…. I want to live a life with the satisfaction that if even I don’t make it but I never surrender , I kept my dreams alive and that’s its the best reward. You would never achieve anything if you don’t take risks.  Read more>>

Shawn Kolodny

Developing the ability to take risks started for me by stepping way out of my comfort zone. I dove headfirst into projects I wasn’t fully prepared for, without a clear plan on how to tackle them. This forced me to figure things out on the fly, which was incredibly daunting but also very rewarding. Read more>>

Kendra Brazzel

I developed my ability to take risks by starting small and gradually building on those experiences. Each time I step outside my comfort zone, I make sure to savor the feeling of accomplishment, no matter the outcome. I call it the “afterglow,” and knowing this good feeling is coming when I am nervous helps calm me. Over time, I realized that the uncertainty of not trying was far more unsettling than the possibility of failure. Every risk I’ve taken has been a chance to learn and grow, regardless of whether it led to success or a setback. Embracing risk has helped me build confidence in ways I never expected, and it’s become an essential part of my creative journey. Read more>>

Kortnie Hairston

Life involves taking risks, and achieving goals requires taking bold steps. In 2018, while still figuring out college, I hesitated to start my clothing line due to a lack of courage and confidence. However, I soon realized that without taking risks, I would miss out on my chance to succeed in life. This business opportunity was a moment I couldn’t afford to miss, as the future favors the risk-takers and not those who cling to comfort. I overcame my procrastination and pushed myself out of my comfort zone to grow and develop the strength necessary to become the business owner I am today. Read more>>

Payton Aughnay

Without risk, there is no opportunity for something greater. If you live a life cautious of any outcome there is no opportunity to take a chance. Essentially betting on yourself. Risking time, money, and energy to achieve your dreams is part of the process. Making sure you’re not expending yourself is most important. Read more>>

Alan Lewinger

My ability to take risks has been cultivated through years of navigating the entrepreneurial landscape, particularly in the design and manufacturing sectors. When I founded Directions, Inc. in 1986, I quickly realized that the path to success was not always linear and often required bold moves. One of the most significant risks I took was launching ethanol-burning fireplaces during the economic downturn of 2008. This decision was not made lightly; I understood that entering a market during such turbulent times could either make or break a business. Read more>>

Tiger A.j. Ray

I stopped leaning on my security blankets. I didn’t want to comfort myself into complacency anymore. Risk taking is about deciding to do the thing after recognizing that your “it” is worth doing. I moved to LA with nothing but a few saved dollars and a dream. I was terrified, I didn’t know if it was the right decision–but I knew that the rest of my life depended on it. Could it have all gone up in flames? Sure. But I would have always wondered “what if” if I didn’t take the risk. Failure can happen, but so can success. I can live with either, but I can’t live with regret. Read more>>

Michael Di Battista

I developed my ability to take risks by gradually stepping outside my comfort zone, learning from both successes and failures, and reflecting on my experiences. Each small risk built my confidence and helped me understand the value of resilience and adaptability. Read more>>

Christopher Dennis

I grew up in a family of non-risk takers, so risk was something I was always apprehensive about. However, everything changed when my fiancé, Nicole, became pregnant with our daughter, Delilah. I realized I was stepping into a new chapter of my life and had a pivotal choice to make: continue the legacy of avoiding risks or break that cycle for the sake of the next generation. My family became the driving force behind my willingness to embrace risk. Read more>>

Dee Greene

First, I feel like I need to define what risk means to me. Risk feels like anything that could lead to rejection or failure. Like many of us, I have a fear of failure! A few things I’ve learned through many “failures” is that the fear is far worse than the actual failing. Failure often turns out to be a valuable lesson or a redirection toward something better! We are all creative masters of our realities and can create something beautiful and bigger than ourselves just by taking one small step forward.
I believe that taking risks begins with identifying your dream, calling, or an idea you want to share with the world. One of my dreams is to own a bed and breakfast or a wedding venue. Read more>>

Joseph Garreffa

From a young age, I was taught that life was a canvas waiting for brushstrokes of courage. My first memories are painted in shades of adventure—trying out for school plays, diving headfirst into swimming pools, and, of course, exploring my own identity. Growing up in the 1980s as a gay boy, I learned early on that risk was a constant companion. It wasn’t just about trying new things; it was about daring to be myself in a world that often seemed hostile. Read more>>

Brady Collins

Taking risks has always been a massive part of my life as an artist. I remember auditioning for college voice programs as a high school senior. Occasionally you would run into a student who did not want to complete the audition process for reasons of stage fright. That broke my heart. In my mind, it was always worse if you didn’t walk into that room and sing for the panel. The alternative of not taking that risk scared me way more. Read more>>

Anna Grydasova

I developed my ability to take risks gradually, through a combination of experience, observation, and self-trust. In the early stages of my career, I was more cautious, fearing failure or making the wrong decision. However, over time, I realized that some of the best opportunities come from stepping out of your comfort zone.

Ashaya Robinson

I developed my ability to take risk by realizing that this is my page, my life and worrying about what others think about me and what I do is just going to set me back. Firstly the only way I can post without thinking about people judging me is by getting rid of the people who I believe would judge me. Anyone that I didn’t consider a friend I unfollowed them and made sure to take them off as my follower. Then I slowly but surely started making my content on instagram. Instagram was always a place where I was scared to post because on TikTok idc I don’t tend to follow a lot of people that I know in real life on TikTok. But on Instagram I had people from middle school , highschool etc and I knew I had to get rid of them in order for me to confidently post. Read more>>

Roman Perez

The ability to take risk came from self confidence and belief in myself.Taking risks in life can either be good or bad outcomes, so taking time to organize myself and acknowledge the current situations allowed me to understand what i had to face when it came to decision making on the risks i would be getting myself into. Read more>>