Capturing fear
By: Priyanka Saurabh
In the 13th century AD, more than a dozen ship captains were busy in maritime trade and exploration through short routes. But the fear of long journeys, fear uncertainty of weather, fear of the sea, and ultimately fear of the unknown stopped them from going on long sea voyages.
A man of bravery and courage accepted this challenge of the sea and started the long and impossible journey. He took the risk of going against all odds and discovering new worlds. This resulted in the discovery of a new sea route and the beginning of European trade with the Indian subcontinent.
Taking risks not only resulted in surplus business in a short time, but in the long run his name got engraved on the pages of history as the first person to visit the Indian subcontinent and his name is Vasco da Gama.
Fear is a natural human emotion that often acts as a barrier to risk-taking. It is a powerful influence that can paralyze individuals, preventing them from achieving their true potential. There has been research into how living with fear can prevent us from taking risks, depriving us of opportunities for growth and success.
However, it is important to recognize that without getting out of our comfort zone, we will never be able to achieve the best results in life. By examining the positive aspects of risk-taking, we can understand the importance of overcoming fear and embracing opportunities for personal and professional growth. The Biggest Speed Breaker in Risk-Taking Ability: Fear can manifest in various forms, such as fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown. It affects individuals differently and can impact their decision-making abilities.
We have a great example from the Third Battle of Panipat where the enemy’s fear was more powerful than ourselves. This made the Marathas mentally perplexed and their decisions fragmented, and this led to the biggest defeat of the Marathas.
People often become comfortable with their current circumstances, preferring to stay within the confines of their comfort zone rather than taking risks. Fear of failure holds individuals back, as they fear potential consequences such as embarrassment, disappointment, or financial loss.
In the documentary 14 Peaks, we see a man who fears nothing, who can easily take risks and go beyond the imagination. That one young man with a strong mentality conquered 14 peaks. Also, this fear becomes an obstacle, which prevents them from exploring new possibilities.
Instead of achieving new things, people get busy with easy things. People move into more secure jobs instead of inventing new things or creating their startups. Additionally, fear can also lead to a lack of self-confidence and self-confidence. Individuals who are constantly living with fear doubt their abilities and find themselves unprepared for the challenges that come with taking risks.
In the Sydney Boxing Day Test, Sachin Tendulkar was out in the first innings not because of his lack of ability but because of his fear of the ball outside the off stump. In the next innings, he prepared mentally to take the risk of not playing any of the balls outside the off stump and this resulted in a historic double century.
Fear leads individuals to focus on the negative aspects of any situation, leading to a risk-averse mindset. They may be inclined to stick to the status quo rather than venture into uncharted territory. This dislike for taking risks can limit one’s potential and hinder progress in both personal and professional spheres.
Take Risks and Get Meaningful Results
Although living with fear may seem safe and comfortable, it ultimately prevents individuals from getting the best out of life. Mahatma Gandhi took the risk of starting a completely new kind of Satyagraha. Many people criticized him but his unique idea not only made him one of the greatest leaders but also helped the country achieve independence. Taking risks is essential for personal growth, innovation, and success. Risk-taking challenges individuals to step out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to explore new opportunities and experiences.
The example of M Curie is appropriate here. He took the risk of using radioactivity. No one believed him but his positive approach led to successful results on radioactive elements and he received two Nobel Prizes for his exemplary work.
Furthermore, risk-taking provides a platform to foster personal growth, resilience, and adaptability. Hungarian athlete Karoly Takacs is the best example of this. After losing an arm in World War II, he showed courage and took the risk of participating in the Olympics again. His continuous hard work and positive attitude towards victory won him the gold medal in the Olympics.
Additionally, only by engaging in risk-taking can individuals discover their true passion and potential. It pushes individuals to test their limits, enabling them to learn from failures and adopt lessons that would not have been possible otherwise.
Is fear always bad? Thinking on the contrary, the answer is – no. The dimension of fear is both relative and subjective. In childhood, we show children the fear of punishment. This makes them more disciplined. Therefore some fears are necessary in life.
Fear of law makes law and order effective, fear of society makes people responsible and accountable and fear of failure motivates people to work hard. Going Beyond the Imagination Whatever you want is on the other side of fear.
While the benefits of taking risks are obvious, it’s important to acknowledge that overcoming fear is easier said than done. Fear is deeply ingrained in human psychology and its complete eradication is not possible. However, individuals can adopt strategies to reduce fear and develop a risk-taking mindset.
Fear often arises from a negative view of possible outcomes. By reframing our mindset and focusing on the positive aspects of risk-taking, we can reduce fear and strengthen confidence. Here the role of the education system and family comes to the fore. The education system needs to amend itself and teach students to learn from failures take risks, explore options, and go beyond the curriculum. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, they can be viewed as steps toward success and learning opportunities. The next important thing is about developing flexibility. Resilient individuals can overcome setbacks, setbacks, and rejection by using setbacks as fuel for growth and improvement. We have a great example from Spacex.
We need ethics in daily life to guide us toward benefiting others. That is why in Indian society we pray. Living with fear can undoubtedly prevent individuals from taking risks. Fear of failure, rejection, and the unknown often act as a barrier, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential.
However, it is essential to recognize the importance of taking risks in personal and professional growth. By stepping out of our comfort zone, embracing opportunities, and challenging our limitations, we can achieve personal growth, contribute to innovation, and achieve success.
Overcoming fear requires changing your perspective, building resilience, adopting a growth mindset, setting realistic goals, and getting support. By doing this, we can develop a risk-taking mindset, which can enable us to reach the best results we can in life.
(The author is a Research Scholar in Political Science)
