In the past three Sundays, we have been talking about being your best and looked at how we are living a balanced life. By now, you can tell that it is difficult. And this is the reason why we need to remind each other and support each other. If one makes mistakes, we help them get back on track. And cheer them on!
Another important element that we need is courage — so we can take calculated risks. Because being at your best demands courage. It calls you to take calculated risks and move outside of your comfort zone.
They say that the enemy of the best is good. When it is good, we have the tendency to become complacent. And we stop there. We say, “Why fix what is not broken?” But hey, “Why not make things better?” Make the good better, and then make your better best.
In 2016 through 2017, we have been going around the country to train out-of-school youth. The aim of the training is to equip them with life skills and help them become job-ready. It’s a 10-day training program.
We noticed that there are those who started at a Level 2 competency but finished at Level 7. That was a 5-notch growth. Impressive. On the other hand, we also observed some who started at Level 5 but they stayed at Level 5. What a big miss of opportunity, of the chance to grow even more.
Do you think you are maximising your growth potential? If you have the chance to level up 5 notches higher this year, will you take it? Will you do the required action? Will you take risks? Note, by the way, that I say calculated risks, not crazy risks. Tell yourself, “Take risks. But don’t get crazy.”
Taking risks is also setting upon yourself the intention to grow higher, achieve greater, and be the person you need to be.
When I was in high school, I was part of the Cadet Officer Leadership Training wherein we were asked to state the position or rank we want to be in after we complete the training. Deep inside, I wanted the highest rank but I wrote one of the lower ranks. I did not want to create high expectations. But I was also telling myself not to give my all. My mistake. My miss.
Thankfully, we were given another chance. After weeks of pondering, I made a resolve, I shall state what I wanted and go for it all out. And so I did. I wrote the highest rank and then I felt a big shift in attitude and action. I began to give my best, much more than I was giving weeks before.
I took that risk. And at the defining day of graduation, I was awarded that rank I aspired for.
Friend, what are you aspiring for? Set your intention to it. Because when you set the intention, you set your action. In your heart, label yourself as a person of growth and start acting like one. And you will be one.
It starts with the courage to take calculated risks. You have it.
(Chris Dao-anis, CPA, DTM is a leadership trainer, presentations coach, and an author of 4 books. Together with other powerful speakers, he will be speaking at the ‘GROWTH SUMMIT: Build Your Foundation of Growth’ on July 13, 2019 in Baguio City. Get your tickets now at http://bit.ly/growthsummitph or text your name and email address to 0917-858-9154.)
