I recently came across this captivating idea of “dangerous vs scary” in Steven Bartlett conversation with Guy Raz on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast. Guy Raz, the insightful host of “How I Built This,” shares lessons gleaned from his interviews with over 20,000 individuals—from global CEOs to humble shepherds. One profound thought that struck a chord with me was the notion that holding onto a stable job could be more perilous than taking a daring leap into entrepreneurship.
Yes, venturing into the unknown is undeniably scary, but the idea that never taking that leap could pose a greater danger resonated powerfully with me.
Alan Weiss once said that “true wealth is our discretionary time.” Time on this Earth is limited, so using it wisely is one of the greatest assets we can develop. Free time is something I still long for.
This concept was vividly brought to life during our recent 4PC intensive with extraordinary coaches on Vancouver Island. Our mentor, Rich Litvin, initiated the four-day event by having us break into small groups to “do nothing.” Initially, this felt scary, confusing, and frustrating. Yet, the creation of that space was magical, setting the tone for the rest of our time together.
My initial investment in 4PC, 4 years ago, felt undeniably scary. Yet, I can’t imagine reaching the heights that I have, without it. Being surrounded by an incredible bunch of humans is indescribably rich. When you surround yourself with extraordinary people, you elevate yourself to their level. One standout workshop this September, was the “Billionaire Mindset” led by Sara Milne Rowe and Nicky Brown. A fully immersive exploration of the seven key traits that make founders unstoppable. What resonated most with me was the 7th trait of “unshakable self-belief”, the conviction that taking risks leads to success, that failures are stepping stones, and that Nos pave the way for the big Yeses.
The drive to leap from zero to one billion requires confronting fear with a shift in mindset, pushing through self-doubt and rejections to make better decisions.
In my book, “The Audacity Spectrum”, I delve into how to live audaciously, anchored by three core principles:
1. Dare – Embrace new experiences with courage.
2. Care – Lead with empathy and advocacy.
3. Risk – Cast aside others’ judgments and take bold strides.
Risk-taking invigorates me, particularly the distinction between “dangerous vs. scary” and its effect on decision-making. Life is woven with butterfly moments—those pivotal choices that shape our paths. From leaving my homeland to study in the UK, pursuing a finance career that felt scary, parting ways with my husband, exiting a stellar career in the City, to founding my own business in a challenging market—each decision was fraught with fear, yet felt undeniably right.
These were high-stake risks, but they were calculated ones. The fear of the unknown paled in comparison to the potential regret of never uncovering what lay beyond. This sentiment resonates with many of my clients and successful entrepreneurs—the willingness to take risks as a shield against the intense regret of missed opportunities.
What dream feels scary yet perilous to abandon? What mindset shift would it take to make it happen? Remember, as taught by my dear friend Rita Hausken Barkhodaee, PCC, don’t worry about the How, but the Who! Who can help you reach your dreams?
I invite you to explore these concepts further in “The Audacity Spectrum”. And if you want to discover how audacity meets intensity, join Tatiana Poliakova and myself on 21 November at this exquisite Columbia Business School event in London.
And here is me at Gatwick airport this week, celebrating my book in the Bestselling Business section, not too far behind the “Diary of the CEO” 😉
I dare you to take risks, challenge the status quo, and let your life be full of unshakable self-belief and audacious choices.
Love
Alina x