Strive

7Abandoning Your Comfort Zone

Pearls don't lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it.

—Chinese proverb

Risk It

If you have read this far, you already understand that although many successful individuals have innate talent, a good background, connections, or “luck,” it does not mean that any one of those factors ensures success. These intrinsic and extrinsic advantages are nothing without risk‐taking and uncomfortable change. Only by taking well‐thought‐out risks can you create repeatable success. You must challenge yourself to become better—better as a person and better in your professional life. Challenges involve stretching yourself, getting outside of your comfort zone, and embracing uncomfortable change—and risk—as a way of life.

Not just any risk will result in the kind of aspirational success you need. There are many ways that people embrace risk, but they are not all beneficial. For example, you have no doubt heard a parent make the comment that “If all your friends jumped off the bridge, would you jump too?” (Yes, your parents did have a good point.) Doing something because others are doing it is a terrible reason to embrace risk. Another reason people take on risk is because people they respect or answer to are forcing them to do it. This approach to risk usually occurs at school or at work when a manager or instructor may be hinting (or openly telling you) to do something that is extremely uncomfortable for you. The best reason to embrace risk is ...