HOT ACTION :: I recently did something huge for my career and I want to share one thing I learned from that experience about taking risks.
When I first thought about writing about taking risks for GGN it seemed like a great idea.
Then I realized I would have to… take a risk.
As a typical Virgo I like to make sure that my insecurities, fears, and all related fun stuff are kept completely hidden from you, under a massive iron vault of privacy. Taking risks isn’t my nature. So much so, I even rip off the jackets of books I’m reading so people who see me reading won’t know something personal about me I don’t want them to know.
In other words, it comes to taking risks of any sort, I’m not exactly keen on them.
I hate them!
About a year ago I had no choice though – because I had to make a choice. At a crossroads in my career as a singer and songwriter I had to decide whether I should take a massive risk, or play it safe.
I’m a songwriter, and was frontman of the band Loveshot. Over time, trial and error, I’ve come to learn that you can never expect, coerce or force someone into being as ambitious or focused as you are.
As I am.
If someone isn’t on the same page as you – on any subject – making them think or behave in a way that makes you happy is a losing battle.
In the case of Loveshot, I felt I was no longer on the same page as the rest of the band. It was time to call it quits entirely, or to keep going by myself (even if it means I fail).
My gut spoke fast. It was a decision that took about 3 seconds to figure out. The idea of just giving up entirely seemed so dreadful and so depressing that I knew I couldn’t do it. (What’s worse than failure is regret!)
My passion trumped my fear. I told the band my decision (which didn’t go over well).
But I’m so glad I took the risk – and am taking the risk. Flying solo I now only have myself to make my career a success or failure. I have no one else to blame, or to use as an excuse. The responsibility is completely mine. Now I will have no choice but to be more exposed and vulnerable.
And that to me is the biggest risk I’ve had to make. But you taking grow unless you force yourself out of your comfort zone.
Since taking risks like these, and allowing myself to be as vulnerable as I can be, I’ve felt myself opened up.
I’ve actually become a better song writer.
I’m more focused and even more ambitious than I was before (a semi-frightening prospect to those close to me!)
The one thing to know about risk, as I’ve learned, is that it truly is the reward.
And I like that better. Who knows, I may one day leave the book jackets on.
– Follow Christopher Aaron Slade on Twitter as his new path unfolds. Visit LoveShot here. Along with Melissa Etheridge and Jimmy Somerville, Christopher discuss risk (and shares more about his band’s reaction to taking a risk) on SiriusXM’s The Shaun Proulx Show. Listen after November 1oth, here.
Image: Roy Conteras
