In the 13th century AD, more than a dozen ship captains were busy in small route sea trade and exploration. But fear of long journey, fear of weather uncertainty, fear of sea and finally fear of unknown stopped them for going deep in oceans. The man of brave heart and courage accepted this challenge from the seas and started long and impossible journey. He took the risk to go against all odd and explore new world. That resulted in the finding of a new sea route and starting European trade with the Indian subcontinent. He got the fruits of taking risk not only in short terms of surplus trade but for a long time his name was carved on the pages of history as the first to land on the Indian subcontinent and the name is Vasco D Gama.

          Fear is a natural human emotion that often acts as a hindrance to taking risks. It is a powerful force that can paralyse individuals, preventing them from achieving their true potential. This essay will explore how living with fear can inhibit us from taking risks, depriving us of opportunities for growth and success. However, it is important to recognize that without stepping out of our comfort zones, we will never be able to attain the best outcomes 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 development.

Biggest speed breaker in risk taking ability: The Fear 

          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 of the 3rd Battle of Panipat where fear of the enemy was more powerful than themselves. It made Marathas mentally ill and led to the fractured decisions. And that yielded the biggest loss of Maratha to Durrani.

          People often become comfortable with their current circumstances, preferring to stay within the confines of their comfort zones rather than taking risks. Fear of failure can hold individuals back, as they may fear the potential consequences such as embarrassment, disappointment, or financial loss. In the documentary 14 Peaks, we see the man who doesn’t have fear of anything can easily take risks and go beyond imagination. That one young man conquered 14 Peaks with a strong mentality.

          Also, this fear becomes a barrier, preventing them from exploring new possibilities. People tend to go into more easy things than achieving new things. People go in the same and secure jobs rather than inventing new things or making their own startups.

         Moreover, fear can also lead to a lack of self-confidence and self-belief. Individuals who are perpetually living with fear may doubt their abilities and feel ill-prepared for challenges that come with taking risks. In the Sydney Boxing day test, Sachin Tendulkar got out in the first innings not because of his low capacity but because of fear of that outside off stump ball. In the next inning he prepared mentally for taking risk of not playing any outside off stump ball and that yielded a historical double century. 

        Fear can also cause individuals to focus on the negative aspects of any situation, leading to a risk-averse mindset. They may be inclined to stick with the status quo, rather than venturing into uncharted territory. This aversion to taking risks can limit one’s potential and hinder progress in both personal and professional spheres. 

Taking risk and getting fruitful results: 

          While living with fear may seem safe and comfortable, it ultimately prevents individuals from extracting the best out of life. Mahatma Gandhi took the risk of starting a totally new method of satyagraha. Many people criticised him but his novel idea not only made him one of the greatest leaders but also helped to achieve the nation’s independence. 

           Taking risks is essential for personal growth, innovation, and success. Risk-taking challenges individuals to step out of their comfort zones, encouraging them to explore new opportunities and experiences. Example of Madam Curie is apt here. She took the risk of experiencing radio activity. No one believed her but her positive attitude yielded a successful result on Radioactive elements and she got 2 nobel prizes for her exemplary work .

            Also, risk taking  provides a platform for personal development, fostering resilience and adaptability. The Hungarian athlete Caroli Tacak is the best explanation for it. After losing one hand in World War 2, he showed resilience, took the risk of taking part in the Olympics again. Consistent work on himself and positive attitude of winning yielded an Olympic gold medal.

            Additionally, only through engaging in risk-taking, individuals can discover their true passions and potential. It pushes individuals to test their limits, enabling them to learn from failures and embrace lessons that may not have been possible otherwise. By confronting their fears and taking risks, individuals can overcome their limitations and achieve personal and professional breakthroughs. The story of the Flipkart startup is a best suited example. Two friends started the idea of selling online books .They risked their successful career after passing out from IIT. They took the risk of such a business idea. Initially everyone laughed at them but they didn’t stop and today Flipkart is the 2nd largest online trading platform in India .

             Furthermore, risk-taking plays a significant role in fostering innovation and progress. Many groundbreaking advancements and inventions were a result of individuals taking risks and defying societal norms. If pioneers like Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, or Elon Musk had succumbed to fear, revolutionary products such as the light bulb, the iPhone, or Tesla electric cars would not exist. By taking risks, these individuals were able to revolutionise their respective fields and leave an indelible mark on society.

             In addition to personal growth and innovation, taking risks can also lead to enhanced opportunities and success. Those who embrace risk are often rewarded with greater professional opportunities, higher financial rewards, and a broader network of connections. They are not constrained by fear, but rather motivated by the potential rewards that come with risk-taking. 

By stepping out on the branch, individuals expose themselves to a universe of possibilities and are more likely to achieve their desired outcomes.

Is fear always bad ? Thinking on Antithesis 

             The answer is no. The dimension of fear is relative and subjective as well .In childhood we show fear of punishment to children. That makes them more disciplined. That’s why some fears are necessary in life . Fear of law makes the law and order impactful, fear of society makes people accountable and answerable and fear of failure pushes people to work hard. 

Overcoming fear :Going beyond the imagination.

Everything you want is on the other side of fear

While the advantages of risk-taking are evident, it is crucial to acknowledge that overcoming fear is easier said than done. Fear is deeply ingrained in human psychology, and its complete elimination is unlikely. However, individuals can adopt strategies to mitigate fear and develop a risk-taking mentality.

           Fear often stems from a negative perspective of potential outcomes. By reframing our mindset and focusing on the positive aspects of taking risks, we can alleviate fear and build confidence. Here the role of the education system and family comes forward. The education system itself needs to amend itself and teach students to learn from failures and take risks , try to find alternatives and go beyond curriculum. Instead of viewing failures as setbacks, they can be seen as stepping stones towards success and learning opportunities.

             Next important thing is about developing resilience. Resilient individuals can bounce back from failures, setbacks, and rejection, using setbacks as fuel for growth and improvement. We have a very great example of SPACEX. Elon Musk’s company initially failed to get launching vehicles back for re-use .But resilience and learning from failures reduced fear of failure and his company achieved unimaginable success. Cultivating resilience involves embracing failures, learning from mistakes, and leveraging these experiences to move forward.

            Next is altering mind programming for a positive growth mindset. Growth mindset enables individuals to embrace challenges and see them as opportunities for growth. By recognizing that, abilities and skills can be developed through dedication and practice. Retired IPS officer Bhishmaraj Bam sir in his book ‘Mana sajjana’ explained the Rahul Dravid’s mindset technique for avoiding fear and going for higher success.

Getting the best fruits for what ? Civilizational ethical aspect

            Utilitarianism teaches us that success is not for personal gain but for the greater good of the greater population. After taking risks and avoiding fear, man should use that success for humanity. Otherwise Hitler also got success by taking risks but that yielded to the massacre of millions of people. Same for nuclear technology, biotechnology and many new endeavours.We need ethics in day to day life to guide us towards benefitting the others. That’s why  in Indian society we pray ‘Pasaydan’ .

               Living with fear can undoubtedly restrain individuals from taking risks. Fear of failure, rejection, and the unknown often acts as a barrier, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. However, it is essential to recognize the significance of risk-taking in personal and professional development. By stepping out of our comfort zones, embracing opportunities, and challenging our limitations, we can achieve personal growth, contribute to innovation, and attain success. 

             Overcoming fear requires changing our perspective, building resilience, adopting a growth mindset, setting realistic goals, and seeking support. By doing so, we can cultivate a risk-taking mentality, which may enable us to reach for the best fruits that life has to offer.

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. -William Shakespeare