Is Society holding us back from taking risks?

Why stepping out of your comfort zone could be the key to personal growth and fulfillment

Society is changing. I believe we can all agree with and attest to this statement.

When I was a little girl, I had the great pleasure of spending time with my great-​grandmother. Born in 1901, she always had fascinating stories to tell. I remember her ​sharing the stunning news of the Titanic hitting an iceberg as reported in the ​newspaper. I also recall her recounting the turmoil of WWI, when she was a young ​woman and the world fell into disarray.

She had a unique perspective on life, shaped by considerable hardship. Her husband ​and son were captured at the end of WWII and held as prisoners of war in a Soviet ​gulag. By the grace of God, both returned years after the war had ended.

Even late in life, her living conditions were simple. She maintained a modest ​household and encouraged me to be resourceful, always. She had a peculiar habit ​with toilet paper, mentioning more than once that three sheets should do the trick. In ​her outhouse, a stack of newspapers sat next to the roll of the precious tissue. I'll let ​you connect the dots yourself…

Now, being in the first quarter of the 21st century, I wonder what her perspective ​would be on a global pandemic that led to a shortage of Charmin.

I also remember my father, who worked in IT for an insurance company, having a ​massive machine delivered to our home. It was gigantic, placed in the hallway next to ​the phone. Once you put the phone's receiver on this magical machine, he could ​connect with the server in his IT department remotely! It was sensational, and I ​became the star of the neighborhood. Yet, if I wanted to meet my friends, I still had to ​knock on their doors if no one picked up the landline when I called. This was long ​before any social media platforms existed.

Society has changed significantly and rapidly since those childhood memories. Time ​is flying by fast and hard. It has become an invaluable resource, always sought after ​and chased. Society and technology have adapted to this demand; the world has ​become faster and more technology-driven.

Many things have become more convenient as well. When I moved here (I'm from ​another country), I was amazed by the number of drive-through services available—​almost for everything, including laundry, landscaping, and dog-walking. I was not ​accustomed to this level of convenience and comfort. There is one for almost ​everything, along with services for everything. Laundry, landscaping, dog-walking - ​just dial - help is near. I was by far not accustomed to that.

The question I ask is, what do you do with all the time you now have on your hands? ​Do you watch another TV show, have more to drink, or spend quality time with friends ​and loved ones?

The environment around us is changing, and so are expectations. If you are not ​jumping on the fast train of artificial intelligence, using ChatGPT to organize your life, ​or being present on all social media platforms almost around the clock, you might, and ​I stress might, be considered an outcast of society. I have experienced the 'blame' for ​not being up-to-date on my friends' lives. "I posted it; haven't you seen it?" No, I may ​not have…

In recent years, the information overflow and the rise of Social Media and AI for the ​masses have added the icing on the cake. Everything is just a click away, and we, as ​a society, are overloaded with apps, commercials, advertisements, and links, all ​aimed at helping us get more done in less time. Convenience is available 24/7.

I believe (and this is my absolute personal opinion) that all of these changes are ​weakening our society as a whole. We are no longer encouraged, or are only ​minimally encouraged, to step out of the social norm, take risks, or do something ​unexpected.

What I would like people to do is create an awareness of what life actually has to offer ​in its full capacity. This doesn't mean you need to become an entirely different person ​overnight, but making small changes to see how they feel might be beneficial. Maybe ​take a different route to work and see what you experience along the way. Try a new ​seat at the dinner table, visit the gym at another time, alter your daily run, or sit on ​your porch and watch the clouds. Perhaps even do something that surprises others.

Step out of your, or society’s, comfort zone and take a risk! Taking a risk might not be ​as easy as it sounds. You need to consider your options, evaluate issues along the ​way, and account for setbacks. But society, which aims for stability in careers, ​relationships, or finances, shouldn't hold you back from discovering your own ​capabilities. When you step out of your comfort zone, you challenge yourself to learn ​and adapt, which can boost your confidence and resilience. Risks can also open ​doors to experiences and achievements you might never have imagined, making the ​potential rewards worth the uncertainty.

You will experience various emotions along the way, such as discouragement, hurt, ​financial impact, sadness, anger, anxiety, and overall discomfort, as well as ​excitement, joy, fulfillment, and accomplishment. Remember, emotions are energy in ​motion. This is what your soul needs to grow. All emotions are important for our ​personal development. There are no truly negative emotions; you just need to know ​how to address the potentially unpleasant ones and be with them. This is what makes ​you feel alive!

I asked ChatGPT how AI influences society in taking risks. It outlined aspects ​such as Data-Driven Decision Making, Risk Mitigation, Personalization of ​Risk, Ethical Regulations, Automation, and Social and Psychological Impacts. ​I got hung up on the last part, Social and Psychological Impact: AI-driven ​platforms like social media can influence societal attitudes towards risk by ​amplifying certain behaviors or trends. For example, the spread of success ​stories or viral challenges may inspire more people to take risks, while ​negative experiences can have the opposite effect.

The perception of risk has changed rapidly in recent years as more people ​rely on technology and social media to form their opinions. Uncertainty is ​prompting many individuals to reconsider their options and hesitate to try ​something new. I argue against this.

How about you forget about the trends…

How about you forget about the viral challenges…

How about you forget about what everyone else thinks is good or bad for you…

How about you spend some time with yourself and see how courage makes you feel!

I want to end this with a quote by Jim Rohn, a former mentor, coach, author, and motivational speaker:

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." – Jim Rohn