I still call Australia home

So I have been wondering when it is that we lose are risk taking behaviour or maybe it is more about when we develop the notion of something being risky?

When we are children we try, do, experience difficult and new things every moment of the day. We learn to ride bikes, we learn to read, we climb trees, ride horses at break neck speed and we create and explore our imagination.

I have had a number of conversations with friends who are considering the next step in their life: to have another baby, to seek another job, to date a boy, to marry, to move house or country. Now while none of these things are straight forward it is curious that we no longer embrace change, every where we look are choices where something must be sacrificed to achieve the next thing. I am sure that a child of 5 doesn’t debate the use of paints over crayons, the merit of cycling with or with training wheels?

So when is it that we learn to be afraid of change? And when is it that we look for certainty before leaping? When is it that we learn that to do something is riskier than actually doing nothing?

And it is this notion that is most curious. Why is it that inaction is seen as less risky? To stay in a relationship that doesn’t work seems silly. But does the reverse? To dive into a relationship that may work is risky. To stay in a job you don’t like is crazy but to leave it is risky.

Odd isn’t it.

So I am going to challenge myself to try to see the status quo as the most risky position and the change as the least when the next opportunity arrives.

Look out!