Take risks

You can fly!

Taking risks takes you out of your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is like a bubble where you feel safe from the outside world, but keeps you from learning new things. When you take risks, you are taking steps out of your bubble, and every step builds your self-confidence to take another step.

Opening up to something new brings excitement … and fear! Excitement is the spice of life. Taking risks triggers new feelings, keeping you engaged and motivated to push yourself a little further up the hill of self-confidence. Critical thinking and self-confidence will bring your level of fear down to the actual level of risk.

How to switch your mindset

Think of risk as an opportunity to overcome fear and reluctance. Take it as your chance to escape the bubble and discover new possibilities. Consider the rewards of doing something rather than not doing it.

Recognize your fears, it's okay to worry, don't let it stop you. Take action to overcome! Never let fear stop you.

Think and plan ahead

Learn about what you want you do. Research what other people have done or said about the same action you are about to take. Think of it as a script you can practice to feel prepared. Having a plan gives you directions, a map to follow to your destination. This will greatly increase your chances of success. Focus on what you can control and identify what remains unknown. Then take a deep breath and look ahead with confidence.

Ideas to build up your confidence

Take on a new interest that requires someone else to participate: "someone else" being the social key that can drive your confidence and motivation. Let's say you are interested in learning to play guitar or piano. Do it if you can do it with someone else to learn from, or even better, to learn with.
Take a bold step into your secret fantasies, and make it happen: Jump out of an airplane? (with a parachute!) Do it! Look up skydiving in your city and book a date. This will change your outlook on life. Or being tied up in rope? Look up your local BDSM social group, listen, ask questions, and try it. This will give you a huge boost of self-confidence.
Talk to strangers! Think ahead of simple questions you feel comfortable asking, and possible follow-ups, then test them out in a public space, starting with people of your gender. With time, practice, and increased confidence, you will devise more challenging questions.
Give a speech or a presentation: Commit yourself to others to do this, then plan, prepare, and practice your speech. Get excited for the opportunity, and do it!
Network outside your circle: Go to trade shows, industry events, or even online forums related to your job. Connect with new people who share the same professional interests. In addition to building up your confidence, it will open new potential professional opportunities, which, in turn, opens a path to take bigger risks in your life.

Conclusion

Taking risks is not about being reckless. It’s about taking calculated challenges to help you become more confident and enjoy your life more fully.