Why Playing It Safe Is the Riskiest Thing You Can Do

Ahhh…playing it safe.

For most these can be comforting words while the word “risk” often triggers thoughts of danger or failure. Positive risk-taking, however, is about stepping outside your comfort zone in ways that promote growth, confidence and success (even if in unexpected ways.) Maybe you’d like to traveling solo, do some adventure “roughing it” in the woods, pick up a sport or change careers. Each of these calculated leaps can reshape your identity and unlock opportunities you never imagined. I’ll address five key ways begin exploring the concept of positive risk taking so we can all start saying ‘yes’ to the kinds of choices that can transform our lives. And, the good news is, the more you do it…the easier it gets!

Positive Risk Taking Can Build Resilience & Emotional Strength

Facing and navigating challenges promote emotional resilience. When we take a calculated risk (especially when we fail), we learn to adapt and recover, developing a stronger psyche. It’s not just about learning from past mistakes (though that’s always helpful)but rather we learn that we CAN recover. Often times we predict certain negative outcomes that aren’t likely or that if they DO happen, that it will affect us more than it actually would. We learn we’ll be ok! It’s actually been found that manageable adversity strengthens coping skills and can even reduce symptoms of PTSD, building psychological resilience.

For example, have you ever watched a musician play or artist paint and imagined what it would be like to have that skill? Sure, we all have. It’s a good feeling, right? Subconsciously, we also imagine the confidence we’d have if we possessed that skill. Self confidence is a graduating scale, not an on/off. Learning to play your first song, as in the above example, will not only give you a boost of confidence to learn your second one, but that confidence gained will flow over to other areas of your life, as well.

Positive Risk Taking Enhances Creativity & Innovation

Stepping into the unknown forces you to think adaptively and to innovate. Studies show taking positive risks encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. By getting our brains accustomed to adapting to new circumstances allow us to be better prepared not only for future ones, but for other areas where creativity and innovation is needed.

Let’s say you’re considering visiting a foreign country for the first time. The process of getting the passport, researching your travel plans and maybe even learning parts of a new language…all of that takes risk! What if you have problems getting your passport? What if your ideal trip is out of your budget and you’ll have to settle for travel plans that are more modest? What if you look stupid when you try to speak that other language? All of that adapting strengthens your creativity to problem solve in new and exciting ways!

Positive Risk Taking Promotes Positive Mental Health

This one may shock some of us, but engaging in positive risks, like new social experiences or learning challenges, correlates with reduced anxiety and depression, especially in adolescents. They also promote greater engagement and an overall improved well‑being. This means that conversely, a life of never taking risks can lead to greater depression and anxiety in one’s personal life.

Positive Risk Taking Encourages Personal Growth

Meaningful and positive risk taking, such as travel, career pivots, or relationship changes, can release significant personal insight and growth. We all have things that we’d like to change, that we COULD change about ourselves if we simply took courageous steps to do something about them. Have we ever made any positive changes in our lives without taking some sort of risk? The real question is…is it possible to make personal changes WITHOUT taking a risk
Positive risk-taking isn’t about danger—it’s about intentional, measured choices that spark growth. Backed by clinical evidence, it strengthens mental resilience, boosts self-belief, fuels innovation, improves one’s well-being and mental health and supports deep personal transformation.

As a bonus tip, remember that humans often judge risks by how they feel about them—not by the facts alone. If something seems exciting (like skydiving), we may downplay real dangers. Conversely, negative feelings can make manageable risks seem terrifying. Keep in mind all the possible benefits of outcome when considering taking that leap of faith!

So, get that passport, do that Google search, make that phone call, sign up for that club and hang out with that friend!