Why Taking Risks Led to My Most Rewarding Work
Nine years ago, I faced a choice that kept me awake at night: stay in my comfortable, predictable job or leap into the unknown. The latter promised growth but came with no guarantees. I felt torn—fear whispering, “What if you fail?” and ambition urging, “What if this is your chance?”
I chose to leap.
The result? The most rewarding work I’ve ever done.
I had spent years in a role where success felt scripted. Promotions followed timelines, innovation was limited, and I found myself going through the motions. I was competent but unfulfilled. Every day, I wondered, “Is this it?”
Today, I’ve built something meaningful: Sky Perth. Taking the risk to start my own company has aligned my work with my values and stretched my potential. The risks I took didn’t eliminate fear, but they reframed it. Fear became my guide, pointing me toward what mattered most.
Here’s what I learned about risk:
- Risk Creates Growth
- Safe choices rarely lead to breakthroughs. When I stepped outside my comfort zone, I discovered strengths I didn’t know I had. Challenges sharpened my skills and clarified my purpose.
- Risk Connects You to What Matters
- The path wasn’t always smooth. I faced setbacks, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. But the struggle forced me to focus on what I truly valued, deepening my commitment to the work.
- Risk Attracts Opportunities
- Saying “yes” to uncertainty showed others that I was serious about growth. I connected with mentors, collaborators, and opportunities that would never have come my way otherwise.
Taking risks isn’t about recklessness; it’s about betting on yourself. It’s about believing that discomfort can lead to transformation and that uncertainty can pave the way for greatness.
If you’ve been hesitating to take a leap, ask yourself:
- What’s the worst that could happen?
- What’s the best that could happen?
- Which outcome are you willing to live with?
The truth is, the most rewarding work is rarely found within the walls of comfort.
PS: Have you ever taken a risk that changed everything? Or is there one you’re considering now?
Best,
Rodrigo Branco Matsumoto.
