by Debra Rose
Fall has suddenly become a marketing darling for all things Pumpkin. Lattes, beer, and most snacks scooped up at Trader Joe’s. We usually don’t associate fall with the time to mix it up and take a few deliberate risks. So why now should we face what scares us and take more chances?
Hidden Successes: Fall is the lead up to holiday madness, winter darkness, sometimes icy days that turn into weeks. You can choose to get bummed out or you can reframe these events as opportunities to try something you haven’t before. Maybe a new activity or travel to an unknown destination. Our brains and bodies get complacent in the face of monotony, so use this time to get out of your comfort zone.
Shift out of Autopilot: Think of things you are too chicken to do, or places you may be too fearful to go. Then assess, and go for it. You will be amazed how this exercise wakes up your soul, and you will be even more astounded by the capacity within you to accomplish things that once seemed unreachable. It’s the quickest short cut to build confidence.
Be a Perpetual Student: Staying entrenched in our habits reinforces routine, and we learn very little when stuck in our daily regimens. You never know whom you might meet, what you will learn, or where you will go when you step outside of the well-worn path. This can be done in small daily actions or something totally new over the winter. Our ability to learn is more powerful than we realize, and with this builds momentum to want to learn more.
Find your Rewards – They Won’t Find You: All of this growth and excitement doesn’t just appear, you have to go for it. There will be a lot of trial and error, missteps and surprises. Think about the generations before us, could you fathom taking such risks (and earning those rewards)? If you reflect on a time you did take a great, unthinkable risk, it was likely one of your greatest moments. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you, it may be better to have taken a chance than to live forever wondering. Something to contemplate over while you sip our next PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) this season.
“Nostalgia is when you want things to stay the same. I know so many people staying in the same place. And I think, my God, look at them! They’re dead before they die. That’s a terrible risk. Living is risking.” ~ Jeanne Moreau
