7 signs you’re not taking enough chances, according to an expert

Taking risks may not be at the top of your priority list, what with your busy job and bustling personal life. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, you’ll see that taking chances is actually a really important part of moving forward and accomplishing amazing things. In fact, if you look at the most exciting times of your life that led to rewarding experiences, they probably started with taking a chance on something you weren’t entirely sure about.

To get some insight into the matter, HelloGiggles spoke with Danielle LaPorte, author of White Hot Truth, speaker, poet, and invited member of Oprah Winfrey’s inaugural SuperSoul 100, who encourages everyone to take chances if you want to live a fulfilling life. 

“If you don’t take risks, you drastically increase your chances of living a miserable, constricted, boring, stifling, completely uninspiring and unsexy existence,” LaPorte tells HG. She acknowledges that it’s not easy to take risks, but it’s the very thing that leaves you feeling empowered and stronger than ever, so try not to put it off for too long. 

Here are seven signs that you’re not taking enough chances in your life.

1You often have Sunday night anxiety about what’s coming up this week

LaPorte says if you’re “dreading Monday” at the end of every weekend, it’s a sign that you’re not in a great place. It’s ok to have an off day where you just don’t feel like going to work or class, but if this is the norm, then you don’t have enough passion for what you’re doing, probably because you’ve played it too safe recently.

“Start with whatever dream or project or new behavior that you’re most enthusiastic about,” LaPorte recommends, “because enthusiasm is a heightened state of consciousness.” If you decide to take some chances and go after what you love, you likely won’t have that Sunday anxiety hanging over you every weekend. 

2You find yourself saying “This sucks” in most situations

This kind of negativity is reflective of what you’re truly feeling. LaPorte tells HG it’s time to reevaluate your life choices if you constantly tell yourself that things around you suck. You don’t have to be happy every second of the day, but you should generally feel motivated and inspired by the work that you’re doing and the people you’re around.

“Risk and courage are how you come to life,” LaPorte advises. You won’t think many things suck in your life if you’re taking chances that allow you to feel alive every single day. 

3You resent seeing people who go after big things in their life

These feelings of jealousy may arise as criticism, but ask yourself deep down where these emotions come from. Are you envious of someone who is “bold enough to go after new and bigger things in their lives,” as LaPorte says? That probably means you’re not challenging yourself enough in your professional or personal life.

Don’t take it out on other people. Get out there and take some risks yourself. 

4You feel like you have no real sense of direction

Part of following a specific path means you’re working toward a goal you’re passionate about, and when you’re doing that, you’re contributing to the world in a positive way. Feeling like you don’t have any direction in your life isn’t a good sign, and LaPorte suggests that you put yourself out there, because “taking more risks in your life is a way of being of service to the world.” 

5You can’t remember the last time you felt inspired

Inspiration is one of the most positive driving forces you can have in your life. It encourages you to volunteer for a cause you believe in, ask for that promotion you’ve always wanted, or start a brand new project. A life without inspiration isn’t an exciting life worth living, so LaPorte advises you to “become clear and powerful enough to create and attract what you want into your life.” Not only will you have all the inspiration you’ll ever need, but you’ll motivate others to go after their dreams as well.  

6You feel like there’s no magic happening around you

If “there is the bleak absence of synchronicity and magic in your life,” LaPorte says you’re not taking enough risks. When you take chances, they may not always turn out exactly as you expect, but you’ll at least feel energized and capable of doing great things.

Cultivating magic in your life may initially sound like a silly thing, but there’s a lot of value to approaching your decisions in a positive attitude. The more you believe that your life can be full of brilliance and enchantment, the more likely you are to live in a bold way. 

7You realize you’ve made a lot of choices in the past based on fear

One of the primary things LaPorte wants you to remember is that you will fail, in some way, at some point in your life. And that’s totally ok. “Ask anyone who’s survived some humiliation, or losing lots of money, or not getting what they wanted,” LaPorte tells HG. “They all got stronger, brighter more real and more magnetic. And they kept risking and growing.”

Try not to get stunted by fear when it comes to deciding on your career or relationships. Start with what you’re most passionate about and choose what you can do to chase after it. The world needs more empowered women who go after what they want. We’re looking at you, sister.