We all have dreams. Maybe you want to race cars. Maybe, like new Oscar winner and former stripper Diablo Cody, you want to become a writer. Maybe, like certain PopFi bloggers (me), you want to quit your day job and write full time from the comfort of your parents’ basement. I don’t know what you want to do. I’m not even sure I know what I want to do! However, I can tell you the only way to achieve a big goal is to risk something. Risk, in spite of all you’ve heard, is actually a good thing.
Of course, I’d like to say that taking risks has positive health benefits, but I don’t know if that is the case in every situation. I can tell you, from personal experience, that finding a way to make a little money doing something you live is always good for the mental health. Even hobbies are good for you, if only because they relax you, take away the stress we all carry from day to day, and gives you something to be proud of outside of the cubicle. Since I’ve figured out a way to do stuff outside of my employment that I like, I’m definitely a much happier, healthier person.
Of course, I’m still suffering from a bit of risk-phobia. I think a fear of failure is what stops everyone from just swinging for the fences and giving their ultimate goals a shot. I mean, anyone can shuffle papers around a desk or ride around in a garbage truck, but not everyone can become a prizefighter or a matador. One of the reasons that I think people don’t go after their hopes is because if they fail, that means they won’t be able to say, “Hey, I’m better than this job. I’ve got talent! I can do whatever I want!”
Maybe you can’t write the great American novel, but you sure won’t figure out what your true calling is by sitting around and watching TV. You might not hit the dream you thought you had, but you might find something you like even better. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Tags: risks, dreams, goals, achievements, risk/reward