How The Risks We Take Shape Our Lives (And Why You're Taking Too Few)

Forbes

12-05-2025

Chess game
Ever looked back and wished you'd been a little bolder?
Every decision we make, every opportunity we pursue—or let pass by—is shaped by our willingness to take risks. Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, launching a business, moving to a new city, or simply trying something new, our courage to step beyond the familiar determines the trajectory of our lives.
Yet, too often, fear holds us back. We hesitate, overthink, and stay within the bounds of comfort, even when we know that real growth lies beyond it. Courage isn't about the absence of risk or of fear—it's about deciding that something that matters more than avoiding it.
Our brains are wired for self-preservation over self-actualization, naturally steering us toward what feels familiar and safe in the shorter term. But real transformation only happens when we decide to risk the control, certainty and comfort we have now for what we value even more. This hesitation creates what I call the 'courage gap'—the space between who we are now and who we could become if we consistently practiced courage.
We often tell ourselves that we'll be braver when we feel more ready—when we have more confidence, when the time is right. But the truth is, confidence is built through action, not before it. The more we take risks, the more capable we feel. The less we hesitate, the smaller our fears become.
In the short term, avoiding risks feels safe. In the long term, it confines us, leaving us stagnant and often more vulnerable to greater perils. Research shows that avoiding risks can increase anxiety over time, as the brain becomes conditioned to associate discomfort with danger rather than growth. A study published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry found that avoidance behaviors reinforce fear, making it harder to take action in the future.
Courage isn't just an abstract virtue—it has measurable benefits. Studies show that courage is directly linked to higher levels of psychological capital (PsyCap), a combination of confidence, optimism, hope, and resilience. Entrepreneurs who demonstrate courage report greater fulfillment and lower levels of stress, despite the uncertainties of their careers.
Beyond business, research published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology, and Education found that courage accounts for nearly 25% of the differences in job performance. Employees who take courageous action—whether by proposing bold ideas, addressing conflict, or stepping into leadership roles—contribute more significantly to their organizations and experience higher career satisfaction.
Courage also impacts education. A study of over 7,600 high school students found that courageous behavior correlated with better academic performance and greater persistence in the face of difficulty. The ability to take risks—whether in the classroom, the workplace, or in personal relationships—can be the difference between thriving and simply surviving.
Of course, not every risk is a wise one. Aristotle described courage as the "golden mean" between cowardice and recklessness. Being courageous doesn't mean acting without fear; it means making informed decisions about which fears are worth overcoming.
Psychologists refer to this as "calculated risk-taking"—assessing both the potential reward and the cost of failure. Studies from the American Psychological Association suggest that people who engage in deliberate risk-taking (as opposed to impulsive risk-taking) are more likely to experience long-term success and fulfillment.
So the real question isn't just 'Am I afraid?' but rather, 'Is this fear holding me back from something that truly matters?'
In The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action, I share how courage is like a muscle—it strengthens with use. The more we stretch ourselves, the more we expand what feels possible.
Stepping into a gym might bring fear of judgment. Speaking up in a meeting might feel intimidating. Making a big career move might be terrifying. But every courageous action builds upon the last, creating a cycle where risk-taking becomes easier and fear loses its grip.
Start with manageable risks.
The more we act courageously, the more we rewire our brains to see challenges as opportunities rather than threats. Neuro-scientific research shows that taking risks strengthens neural pathways related to resilience, making future acts of courage feel more natural over time.
Surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to take risks can be a powerful catalyst. Studies from Harvard Business School found that people are more likely to take risks when they see others doing the same—a phenomenon known as 'courage contagion.'
Keeping a courage journal can also be a powerful tool. Writing down moments when you acted bravely—big or small—reinforces your courageous identity. The more you see yourself as courageous, the more you will act accordingly.
Researchers have found that we are three times more likely to regret the risks that we don't take from those that we do. Because even when our actions don't land the perfect outcome, we still learn, we still grow and we build our mental and emotional capacity for greater undertakings. It's why courage begets courage. From the child facing a test to the entrepreneur launching a new venture to the person at the gym pushing beyond comfort—each courageous step bridges the gap between aspiration and actuality.
The reality is, your life will expand in proportion to the risks you're willing to take, even when you're scared you'll fall flat.
So don't wait until you feel ready. Don't wait for fear to disappear. Start now, step forward, and trust that your capacity to act with courage will grow with every risk you take. As history shows, over the long arch of time, we fail far more from timidity than we do from over daring.
Dr Margie Warrell is a leadership advisor and keynote speaker focused on equipping leaders to cultivate and scale courage across their organizations. Her latest book is The Courage Gap. Follow on LinkedIn.