Summary

The article provides guidance on embracing risk-taking by challenging one's conscience, recognizing the positivity of change, and not fixating on outcomes.

Abstract

"3 Ways to Take More Chances in Life" encourages readers to overcome fear and embrace opportunities, even when they seem daunting. The first step is to challenge the prohibitive voice of one's conscience, recognizing that this internal dialogue, often shaped by protective upbringing, can hinder growth. The second point emphasizes that most life changes are ultimately beneficial, from small improvements in daily life to significant transformations. Lastly, the piece advises to act without obsessing over consequences, suggesting that the journey itself is enriched by embracing uncertainty without fear of making mistakes. By following these recommendations, individuals are encouraged to climb their own 'ropes,' taking bold strides towards self-improvement and exploration.

Opinions

Trusting one's conscience for guidance can paradoxically become an obstacle to personal development.
The majority of changes experienced are more likely to be positive or contribute to life improvements.
Taking a leap of faith without over-analyzing outcomes can lead to unexpected rewards.
Ignoring the often negative internal narrative can open the door to previously unconsidered opportunities for growth.
The decision to take action and step life's varied chances is posited as essential for a fulfilling journey.
The idea of change often carries more apprehension than the change itself warrants, implying that most outcomes are favorable or carry valuable lessons.

3 Ways to Take More Chances in Life

Especially when you’re scared of the unknown.

I never climbed a rope before.

I was in fourth grade and my gym teacher thought it’d be fun to install a long rope attached to the ceiling. Everyone climbed damn near to the top. I didn’t want to climb it, but I did it anyway.

Somehow, I got a good enough grip to go a few inches, then I slid back down. In other words, I failed — if you’re looking at who climbed the highest.

In my world, that’s a success because I took a chance. Here are some tips I learned on how to take more chances in life and hopefully these lessons will be helpful to you as well.

Do the opposite of what your conscience tells you.

Without knowing you, I can tell you listen to your conscience a lot. That’s great. Your parents taught you well.

However, we tend to listen to that negative voice in our heads to the point where it stops us from leaping in life. Our conscience reflects what our parents taught us. It’s great if your parents are the rebellious type, but stifling if they were the protective type.

Do you know how many times the voice in my head told me not to climb the rope? But how do you know if you’ll benefit from something if you don’t try?

So I decided to do the opposite of what my consciousness tells me. It doesn’t know any better. After I started being more rebellious, that negative voice in my head began to shut up and I’ve been able to take more chances than before.

Your conscience is a negative voice in your head that prohibits you from taking the leap you need to grow. It doesn’t know any better than you so don’t listen to it and do the opposite.

Realize that most changes are good.

I know this is a bold statement to make, but think about every change that’s happened in your life. Look at the good ones compared to the bad ones and count them.

For the average (middle class) person, I truly believe they have more good changes in life than bad ones. I don’t say that to mean everyone has a cherry blossom lifestyle, but if a change happened to you, it’s improved your life in some way no matter how small.

Those positive changes could be learning how to cook a meal, finding a street with a lot of restaurants, or tanning in an area that has great sunlight.

To get these positive changes, you have to take a chance. If you want to learn how to cook a meal, you have to get your ass in the kitchen and look up recipes. If you want to see which street has a lot of vendors, you have to start checking on every street. If you want to find an area with great sunlight, you have to get out there and tan up.

No change is a change without risks and no positive change is a positive change without going outside of your comfort zone.

Don’t think about the outcome.

When I climbed that rope, I didn’t look down. I had to persevere however many inches I could without worrying about falling.

Close your eyes and don’t wake up until you’re on the other side. You’ll find that being on the other side isn’t as bad as you thought it’d be. It’s quite cozy. You don’t have to know every outcome in your life.

The bad and good decisions you made while trying to take more chances is the fruitful part of the journey.

If you do the opposite of what your conscience tells you, realize that most changes are good, and close your eyes without thinking of the outcome, you’ll never backpedal into the hesitant abyss.

So start now.

3, 2, 1. Leap.