4 Reasons to Stop Playing it Safe and Unlock Your Potential

Did you come from a family that encouraged playing it safe?

I came from a family that promoted getting good grades, going to college, getting a job with benefits, and coloring within the lines.

The problem is this way of thinking doesn't usually encourage us to take risks or get out of our comfort zone.

So we play it safe. We make decisions based on things we feel confident we can accomplish.

We avoid risks or challenging ourselves. We want certain things but fear stops us.

If we aren't careful, our fears can end up dictating our decisions.

"Everything you've ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear." George Addair

4 Reasons to stop playing it safe

1. Reduces our regrets

When we sit on the sidelines and watch others doing brave and risky things we admire them. We tell ourselves we couldn't do that or we wouldn't be good at it. However, if we don't try, we are likely to have regrets later down the line.

2. Expands our potential

There is untapped talent and potential in all of us. I'm great at seeing this in my kids but not always in myself. Just because we are adults doesn't mean we have discovered all we are capable of.

Taking risks and getting out of our comfort zone can show us potential we didn't know we had.

3. Encourages growth

If we always play it safe, we prevent opportunities for growth. Taking risks and getting outside our comfort zone helps us grow. We expand our knowledge, skill-set, confidence, experience, and more.

4. Conquers our fears

It's scary but like George Addair said, "Everything you've ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear." When we try something new and take that risk we conquer our fears.

We may be scared in the process but our fears lessen as we continue on. We also become more confident to take on challenges in the future.