Embrace risks in life and performance

Embracing risks in life and performance is only possible by transforming fear or perceiving it as an opportunity to learn instead of an obstacle.

Research on those who take risks, (although there are preconceptions that taking risks reflects irresponsible, superficial or unconscious behavior,) shows on the contrary that those who take significant risks in life for example in extreme sports or in dangerous military missions do not want to die. As a matter of fact these people reported that when "they are on the edge of the precipice" they really feel the meaning of life and absolutely don't want to die. It is in our heads and in our "nature" to explore and take risks.

Nowadays with all the comforts that we have and all the technologies available, the risks in our society are much less and sometimes even eliminated. For this reason we feel the need to look for them in order to stimulate dopamine.

People who take risks are optimistic, innovative, energetic and able to control variables. They have competence and high motivation. These people feel they are attuned to the world, as though they are one with it.

They are not impulsive, especially in activities such as extreme sports or difficult surgical or military operations. Instead, they are methodical and extremely focused in the moment, in the here and now.

It is important to recognize that fear is also a positive thing as it puts you on the alert, allows you to prepare for performance, allows you to be careful in what you do -as if you are doing a mental checklist on various aspects.

The presence of fear allows us to get through it and perform at high levels; it is therefore necessary to interpret it not as a factor that ruins performance, but as a variable that can be helpful.

Public speaking, performing surgery or military operationsarethe actions that are most likely to be accompanied by a state of fear for many professionals.

Useful mental techniques, www.performanceexpansion.com, like imagining the audience to be a group of friendly people instead of people who can determine the outcome of a course can be used.

Furthermore, positive and encouraging statements can help you stay focused during a military operation. Mindful breathing can help in the operating room. Taking a risk helps me understand how far I  can push myself.

Taking a risk, in English defined as “Risk taking behavior”, plays an important role in performance; it means pushing yourself beyond your limits, getting out of your "comfort zone" and helping you succeed.

We assume that taking risks is done in a constructive way .It is also necessary to evaluate when is the right time to take them. It is not useful to take them constantly.

Sometimes there are advantages both with taking risks and not taking them. However  not going further does not allow us to improve ourselves and over time this can create  deep frustration.

The "comfortable" or fallback choices are for example living in stagnant environments instead of riding the waves in the open sea. We must let go of the uncertainty that often interferes with the decision to take risks.

Risk taking is a mental state and a lifestyle choice. If you decide to become a person who takes risks in life, surely you will also become better performers.

Get out of your "comfort zone" and "ride your waves"!