The end of playing it safe?

What’s that one big thing that young people like me take for granted?

***

Once, while strolling the park with a friend in her 40s, I asked her what advice she could give to a thirty-something like me.

And she told me,

"Enjoy your thirties. Try out as many experiences as you can. Because you're still young."

And that last statement there, that's the one big thing that you and I take for granted.

Our YOUTH

Whenever I ask more experienced and older colleagues about taking risks (like starting a business, moving to a new country, or even traveling solo), I get these common responses:

“I’m too old to risk it.”

“I’ve already got a family to take care of. I can’t take risks.”

“It’s too late for me.”

I can’t discount the fact that at one point, I will start spewing the same answers.

It’s natural to be fearful when you’ve already got a lot to lose.

So I realized, from countless conversations with people…

The best time for taking risks is not when you get older and you’re more experienced.

Take risks while you still have the advantage of youth.

Take risks while you still don’t have much to lose.

Take risks while you still don’t have a lot to protect.

When you’re still young, you have a bigger room for failure.

You can start again with your life.

The older you get, the more that your choices become irreversible.

With each passing year, your opportunities for taking risks get smaller and smaller and smaller.

But here's the catch...

Know that risk-taking involves finesse and calculation.

A calculated risk draws inspiration from informed and smart choices.

And if you don't know how to make one yet, you’ll end up in deep trouble.

***

Is your next year the end of playing it safe?

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