As young kid I was very afraid of taking risk. It might have been the fact that my early childhood years I was brought up in a tough neighborhood in one of the U.S. Cities with a high crime rate. The other factor is the I also consider is how in the Puerto Rican Culture taking risk is something that is not promoted or inspired.
Consequences of Taking Risk
As a young kid I saw things that I hope no one else has to see or live through. The strange part was that it was such a big part of my surroundings I did not find it as startling as I do know. In my head taking risks in many ways meant very complicated and scary consequences. For example if someone bullied me at school they might have been a member of a Gang or even had a weapon. Walking from school showing off anything that might be attractive for a thief might have them take it away from me. I remember once carrying a new football and a few of the gang members that where walking around my neighborhood tried to steal it from me. Thankfully an adult that knew my family and me came in my defense and I was left alone. Overall taking the risk of defending myself could have huge consequences that could even have gotten me seriously hurt.
Understanding that Even When You don’t Take Risk you are at RIsk
I guess it took a few bullies for me to understand as a kid that if I did not stand up to myself I was at even a higher risk. As humans we are resistant to taking risk. We are also looking for as little change as possible. But when you realize that not taking risk can put you at a vulnerable position it makes it easier for you to take risk.
Promoting the Attempts to Take Calculated Risks
One of the things I want to instill in my daughter as she grows up is that she needs to learn how to take risk and try to mitigate negative consequences. Those who never take risk are people who are always under a safety blanket those individuals that would love to try a new job but they are scared, would try to build their own business but they rather be an employee, would want to skydive but hey are scared of heights, would want to go out to sea but they don’t know how to swim. In every one of the previous points I mentioned there is a huge fear to overcome
If you want to leave your current job but don’t, because you fear that there are no better opportunities for you. If you want to set up your own business but are too scared to loose your periodic income as an employee. If you want to jump of a plane but are scared of heights. If you want to get on a boat but are scared of it because of lack of swimming skills take a life vest and learn how to swim.
I don’t want my daughter or anyone to be scared of trying something new
I rather have myself scared or fearing the outcome of sometime that I am trying than scared of going thru life not been able to attempt it.
As a risk taker I have to say that I have had my plenty of situations where I have been completely scared but most of it was caused by uncertainty. Uncertainty can be your biggest enemy but if you are flexible it can become your ally.
Understanding that we will never be able to control the outcomes of situations does give us a good idea of how we can build the mindset to be flexible and ready to react to the many obstacles that we will face.
How do you prepare your children to react positively against adversity?