Monday Spark: Taking small risks makes you FEEL GOOD.

As freelancers we tend to be risk-averse. We feel that our future is scary enough as it is, without taking any unnecessary risks.

But…we are also entrepreneurs, building a small business from the ground up. And one of the hallmarks of successful entrepreneurs is that they do take risks.

I’m not talking about crazy risks that could lead to the loss of everything. I’m thinking more about the kinds of risks Seth Godin refers to in his book, Poke the Box
.

He makes the point that doing nothing, starting nothing and risking nothing leads ultimately to stagnation and collapse. You need to challenge the status quo from time to time. You need to poke the box. (You know “the box” – it’s that thing you are meant to think outside of.)

Most freelancers I know, and I know a lot, don’t take risks. They are constantly on the lookout for risk-free ways forward. They want to achieve more, but without risking anything.

Here’s the bad news – it doesn’t work like that.

If you insist on being safe every step of the way, your freelance business will never amount to much.

In a way, we all know this. We know that to succeed we have to stick our necks out a little.

So what’s stopping us? Knowing what we know, why do we still hold back from taking risks?

I think the answer lies in the fact that we expect to fail. We know that neither life nor business is fair. We feel the odds are stacked against us. We think about all our past failures, big and small.

In other words, we have pretty much programmed ourselves to expect failure. So we play it safe. No poking boxes. No sticking our necks out. No raising our hands.

Well, if you really do want to succeed, in a big way, you have to break that cycle.

Let’s look at a few risks you could take today:

– Replace the headshot photo on your site and on your social media profiles with one that shows you laughing, or wearing a crazy hat, or with your hair died.

– Write a post or article that reveals what you really think and feel, not just what you think your audience wants or expects.

– Double your fees for the kinds of projects where you think you deliver the most value.

– Look for opportunities to speak at events – locally, regionally or nationally.

– Call your local radio station and suggest they have you on air as a guest.

– Think of some way to partner with your favorite industry expert, and reach out to him or her with your idea.

– Hold your first video Hangout on Google+.

These are all small risks to take. Nothing very bad will happen if you fail. But if just one of them pans out, it will make a difference.

OK, so you have heard this advice before. And somehow you have never gotten around to making any changes or taking any risks. Anyway…isn’t this meant to be a Monday Spark? Isn’t this post meant to be inspirational or motivational?

Well, yes. So here is the thing. Taking small risks FEELS GOOD.

Risk-taking turns a boring day into an exciting day. It gets a little adrenaline pumping. It brings you to life.

Better still, it gives your day more meaning. You’re not just going to be doing work for clients, or looking for that next project. You’re also going to be taking positive action in support of yourself and your own freelance business.

You’re going to be active, not passive. In control, not under control.

Go on…take a small risk today, and every day.

It’s fun, it feels good…and it will transform your business.

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About the author: Nick Usborne is an online writer, copywriter, author and coach. Read more…