From Comfort to Courage: The Power of Falling Forward

"Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing." – Denis Waitley

As the financial year comes to an end, you probably start reviewing your budget.

Do you know how much money you spend on insurance?

How many insurance policies have you purchased?

And how many times have you actually claimed on those policies?

In life, we often create safety nets to reduce risk. We buy insurance for our homes, cars, and health. We make backup plans for various situations. This cautious approach also affects our decisions. For example, when applying to schools or universities, we choose multiple options to ensure we have alternatives if our first choice doesn’t work out.

While having options is smart, it can sometimes hold us back. Knowing we can return to a previous job or situation can prevent us from fully committing to our current goal. It's like trying to leap across a gap while holding onto a rope tied to where you started – the safety net limits how far you can go.

Change is a part of life, but how we handle it can make all the difference. Sometimes, we have to choose between going back to what we know and moving forward into the unknown. Each choice can shape our personal and professional growth.

The Comfort of Falling Back

Falling back means returning to familiar territory. It's like wearing an old, comfy pair of shoes – it feels safe and predictable. This can be tempting, especially when things get tough. For example, when I started as a data analyst, I was determined to leave my old job in the hotel industry behind. This pushed me to work hard, learn new skills, and meet the demands of my new role. I was driven by a desire to succeed and a fear of going back.

But when I started my own business, it was different. In the beginning, with only a few clients, I often thought about my old job. The uncertainty of running a business made me consider going back to working for someone else. This back-and-forth drained my energy and kept me from fully committing to my new venture.

The Excitement of Falling Forward

Falling forward means embracing the unknown. It can be scary, but it's also exciting. Falling forward means putting all your energy into making things work because you don’t have a backup plan. This mindset often leads to greater motivation and success. It's about pushing beyond your comfort zone and not letting fear control you.

Imagine standing on top of a mountain. If you fall back, you can't see what's behind you. Your back will hit the ground first, and you can't use your hands or legs to hold onto anything. But if you fall forward, at least you can see where you're going to land. You can use your hands and legs to guide and protect yourself. This metaphor shows how falling forward allows you to face challenges head-on and use your abilities to navigate through them.

This year, as I cleared old programs from my computer to make it run better, I realized it was time to let go of the past to make room for new opportunities. This act was symbolic, showing my readiness to fully commit to my business and let go of fallback options.

Letting Go of Safety Nets

It might be time to let go of your safety nets and fully commit to your goals. Open yourself up to new possibilities by deleting the old programs, both literally and figuratively, to make space for new experiences. It’s about fully committing to the path ahead without the distraction of fall-back options.

So, take the leap, fall forward, and enjoy the journey ahead.