Take Risks

Risk taking is crucial for progress and growth. If you don't take the risk of getting out of your comfort zone, you will be stuck there. Your comfort zone will become a cage. Risk taking, a lot of times, ends in failure, but remember that failure is what you make of it. Failure can push you to learn and become better. Take risks. Be courageous.

Here is a very insightful article about failing as a way to progress and succeed in pickleball. This is applicable to other sports and other areas of life as well!

https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/why-embracing-failure-can-be-your-secret-weapon-on-the-court/

Reid Olson, a very insightful Instagram content creator, teaches a very interesting and eye-opening concept. The only way to build self-respect if you don't have any, is to take actions that build your self-respect. You will eventually have self-respect if you do this. This also applies to courage. If you start to take courageous actions, you will be courageous. We all start off uncourageous in an area of life,  but we need to be out of character and act courageous in order to be courageous. Prove it to yourself that you are courageous by taking risks.

Remember to be wise about the risks you are taking. Remember the risk reward ratio. If you take the risk, does the potential reward outweigh the risk? Or does it not? Make sure the reward for the risk you are taking is bigger than the risk. Be careful and cautious when taking risks that could injure you in any aspect of your life (physically, emotionally, mentally, etc.) For example, overworking yourself is a risk that hurts more than helps. It ends in negative consequences. The reward of getting more work done also isn't that significant. The work probably won't be your best. On the other hand, if you are playing a sport and you should try out a new drill to improve your game, you should try it! The potential risk of failing and embarrassing yourself is completely outweighed by building up courage, resilience, confidence, and improving your skills in your sport. Keep that risk reward ratio in mind!

Here are the examples laid out in an easier format to read:

(Note: There are more risks and rewards that could be added to these examples, but this is a simplistic overview)

Overworking Yourself

Risks:

       -Draining and harming yourself (especially physically, mentally, and emotionally)

       -The work you put out will not be your best

Rewards:

       -You will put out more work

Trying a New Drill in Your Sport:

Risks:

       -Failing

       -Embarrassing yourself

Rewards:

       -Improving in your sport

            -Improving your skills

            -Improving your knowledge

            -Improving your mental strength

       -Building courage, resilience, and confidence

Take risks! Be wise. Remember the risk reward ratio. You can do it!