Taking a Chance on Yourself: The Power of Uncertainty.

When we really dig deep to move forward, we need a strong relationship with courage to do that, but at the same time, we need an even stronger relationship with hope—to believe unconditionally that change is possible.

So, why are people willing to take a chance on others but often don’t on themselves?

Research and statistics show that many individuals are more inclined to invest in others, whether it's supporting a friend’s dream, believing in a colleague’s potential, or lending financial assistance to a loved one. Yet they can be distant and hesitant when it comes to their own aspirations. This hesitation often stems from self-doubt, fear of failure, or the pressure of perfectionism. The truth is, many people find it easier to bet on others than on themselves because they don't want to risk their own failure or disappointment.

Taking Chances = Risk

But here's the key: Taking a chance on yourself is one of the most inspiring decisions you can make. It enables you to move into the zone of possibility. A leap of faith in yourself allows you to discover what you’re truly capable of. Do you want to understand that and head in that direction?

When you take a leap of faith in yourself, you're not only investing in your potential, but you’re also giving yourself permission to grow, learn, and become something even greater.

When We Want a Guarantee

Imagine walking into a dark room with no light. At first, you can’t see anything, and your eyes take time to adjust. But even as your vision adjusts, you begin to rely on other senses: the faint sounds in the room (which include your own movements), the feeling of the air, the sense of space, and even the smell. Your body begins to guide you, and your instincts step in to help you navigate.

This is much like what happens when we face uncertainty. At first, it’s disorienting. We may not have all the answers or see the full picture, but we can trust that we’ll adjust and find our way. Just like in the dark, we rely on our other senses—our gut, intuition, and inner wisdom. We allow our "second brain" to guide us when the world around us is unclear.

Can We Improve Our Ability to Make Decisions from Our Gut?

Absolutely. Remember, the body gives off signals to warn us: our breathing, our heart rate, even our head can feel heavy or light. It’s all about noticing and listening to our bodies—trusting our feet or hands, noticing them. We need to allow ourselves to be self-aware and present with our reflections.

Allowing your gut to guide you, without overthinking, is a powerful thing.

Finding your unique style takes belief, patience, and time. Just like any skill, it’s about developing it to suit your individuality. You might be a visual person, imagining a scenario like a film, or you might need to write it and see it in words. You may need to say it out loud to hear it, or perhaps you make decisions based on actions from your hands or feet.

The key is to listen and understand how your individual intuition works. You can make decisions every day based on what feels right, not on what you think is right. Often, my clients start with simple choices, like what to eat. Don’t rush the process or push it—just get comfortable with it, test and have fun with it, and most of all, get comfortable and "friends" with it.

Other examples could be: What cup should I have my coffee in? Which way feels good to walk? What outfit feels good to wear today? Then, notice what happens in your body.

I remember, in my younger years, when students worked with the blind to experience what it felt like to be blindfolded at college. It wasn’t just a lesson in empathy, it was a lesson in perspective—a deeper understanding of how much we take for granted in terms of clarity and certainty. Without sight, we are forced to trust our other senses in new and profound ways. And in our own lives, when we face uncertainty, we can choose to rely on those same instincts, knowing that the lack of clarity doesn’t mean we are lost. It simply means we need to trust ourselves even more deeply.

Trusting Through Experience

The more we experience uncertainty and navigate through it, the better we become at trusting our instincts. Just like those who are blind develop a heightened sensitivity to sound, touch, and smell, we too can strengthen our "second brain"—our intuition—by stepping into the unknown and learning from it. Every time we trust ourselves, even when the path ahead is unclear, we build the muscle of self-trust.

In moments of doubt, remember that clarity isn’t always required to move forward. Sometimes, the most important step is simply trusting that, even without all the answers, you have the wisdom within you to make it through.

Chance = Investment

Taking a chance is the investment you make in your future self—one that pays dividends in growth. Like any smart investment, it carries uncertainty, but it also holds the promise of growth, learning, and transformation. The uncertainty? That's where the opportunity lies. When you bet on yourself, you are fuelling future breakthroughs and building the foundation for success.

The Biggest Risk: Can You Live with Regret?

A Final Question for Reflection:

Ask yourself: What could happen if you gave yourself permission to take a chance on yourself?

You may need to keep asking and also notice what happens when you ask yourself.