The Power of Life-Changing Decisions
A personal development exercise I once participated in proved to be incredibly insightful. The task was to identify the three best decisions of our lives. Although I’d never considered this before, my list came together quickly:
- As a first-year university student, I impulsively decided to spend my summer working at a guest ranch in a new country instead of going home. This experience opened up my world, ultimately redefining both my educational and career path.
- I overcame cynicism and apprehension to accept a friend’s offer of a blind date. This led to meeting, falling in love with, and marrying my best friend, Becky.
- I chose to leave my successful business to run a homeless shelter. This decision forced me to “walk my talk,” living out the leadership principles I had taught for years, and allowed me to tap into a better, stronger version of myself.
Reflecting on these decisions, I realized they all stemmed from embracing change—letting go of comfortable realities to lean into uncertainty and risk. This reaffirmed what I believe is a universal truth: We can only tap into our full potential and make a lasting impact by courageously embracing change and being open to life’s unpredictable adventures.
The Freedom of Taking Risks
The poem Only a Person Who Risks Is Free by Leo F. Buscaglia beautifully captures the essence of embracing change:
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk being called sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair,
and to try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and becomes nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.
Chained by certitudes, they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom.
Only the person who risks is truly free.
As you face opportunities for change in your personal and professional life, remember that embracing uncertainty is the path to true freedom and self-discovery. Step boldly into the unknown, for it is there that you’ll unlock your capacity for greatness and make a lasting impact on the world around you.
DIY Team Activity
Embracing Change and Celebrating Risk-Taking
This do-it-yourself team activity will help you foster a positive attitude towards change, strengthen team relationships, and develop strategies for managing change effectively.
Step One: Pre-meeting Preparation
- Share the article The 3 Best Decisions I’ve Ever Made (and What They Taught Me About Leadership) with your team.
- Ask team members to read the article before the meeting and reflect on the three best decisions they’ve made in their lives.
Step Two: Share Personal Stories (20 minutes)
- In the meeting, have each team member share on one of their three best life decisions.
- Encourage brief explanations of why these decisions were impactful and how they involved embracing change or taking risks.
Step Three: Discuss Key Themes (10 minutes)
- Facilitate a group discussion on the benefits of taking calculated risks and embracing change.
- Prompt the conversation with questions like:
o What common themes do you notice in our best decisions?
o How have these decisions shaped our personal and professional growth?
o What might have happened if we hadn’t taken these risks?
Step Four: Brainstorm Strategies (10 minutes)
- In small groups or as a whole team, brainstorm ways to:
o Cultivate a healthy attitude towards change in the workplace
o Support each other during periods of transition - Have groups share their ideas with the larger team.
5. Personal Action Plans (10 minutes)
- Ask each team member to write down one small, positive change they’ll commit to in the coming month.
- Encourage them to consider how they can approach this change with excitement rather than stress.
- Optional: Pair team members as “change buddies” to check in with each other on their progress.
Conclude by emphasizing that embracing change is a skill that can be developed over time. Encourage the team to continue supporting each other in taking positive risks and navigating changes, both big and small.
Monthly Inspiration
“The mark of a wild heart is living out the paradox of love in our lives. It’s the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid—all in the same moment. It’s showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind.”
Brené Brown
specific needs. Don’t wait – the best time to invest in your team’s future is now!
This opportunity not only expanded my personal growth and learning, but it also allowed us to get to know each other on a deeper level, fostering a sense of connection, understanding, and empathy."
