What Do You Have to Lose?
There are days when everything flows… and days when absolutely nothing seems to land. A burnt crust, a missed deadline, a conversation that didn’t go the way you hoped. None of that makes you a failure, it simply makes you human.
Pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini captured it perfectly: “Everyone has days when things can go wrong. That doesn’t make you a bad pastry chef—that makes you human.”
When Doubt Shows Up in the Kitchen (and Everywhere Else)
If you spend any time in the kitchen, especially baking, you know the emotional roller coaster it brings. I’m comfortable with savory dishes, improvising flavors, experimenting with spices. But pastry dough? That’s where hesitation creeps in. Pastry is finicky, delicate, demanding a precision that doesn’t leave much room for improvisation.
Still, I find myself circling back to recipes that push me out of my comfort zone, like the blueberry tart pictured above. I never dive in with full confidence; I ease my way into it. I test the waters. I remind myself that if this turns into a flour-covered mess… it’s okay.
And yet, more often than not, the result is better than expected. The crust might not be perfect, but the tart disappears quickly at home. My toughest critics are satisfied. And truthfully, so am I.
The real win isn’t the tart. The win is that I took the chance.
Why We Hesitate
We all have a version of ourselves that stalls at the edge of possibility—that internal voice whispering:
“Don’t mess it up.”
“Wait until you’re ready.”
“What if this goes wrong?”
Here’s the truth: Most of our hesitation isn’t rooted in our own lived experience. It’s someone else’s story we’ve unknowingly adopted.
Maybe you grew up hearing “Don’t take risks,” “Be careful,” or “You’re not the type of person who does that.” When those messages repeat long enough, they become the story we tell ourselves. And because we’re human, we start treating that story as fact.
But the most powerful person who can rewrite that story? You.
What Risk-Taking Actually Looks Like at Work
Risk-taking doesn’t always look like a bold, sweeping move. More often, it shows up in small but meaningful moments—moments that require courage, awareness, and a willingness to be seen.
In the workplace, taking chances might look like:
- Speaking up in a meeting even when your voice shakes
- Pitching an idea before it feels perfectly polished
- Applying for a promotion even if you don’t check every box
- Asking for clarity rather than pretending you understand
- Giving honest feedback that feels uncomfortable but important
- Proposing a new way of doing something even if it challenges the norm
What’s at stake? Growth, trust, confidence, visibility.
What’s to gain? The same and often much more.
Not every leap lands perfectly. But each one builds your resilience, your awareness, your courage, and your leadership presence.
Your Self-Awareness Is Your Safety Net
Risk-taking doesn’t mean being reckless. A thoughtful leap means knowing your limits, understanding the impact, reading the room, being intentional with your outcome, and bringing self-awareness along for the ride.
Your self-awareness is your safety net. It doesn’t prevent the jump—it simply helps you land smarter.
Reflection Questions
Bring these to your journal, your next coaching session, or a quiet moment:
What story have I been telling myself about taking risks? Whose voice shaped that narrative?
Where am I holding back—in work or life—because I’m afraid of getting it “wrong”? What’s the cost of staying still?
Who encourages me to “go for it,” and what stops me from listening? What would happen if I trusted their belief in me?
What is one small, low-stakes leap I can take this week? (Think: sending the email, having the conversation, trying the recipe.)
A Better Question: What Could You Gain?
The next time someone says, “What do you have to lose?” pause and flip the question.
What could you gain?
Confidence. Skill. Insight. Connection. Creativity. Or maybe a tart that disappears faster than you expected.
Your life—your career—is built on thousands of these moments. Some will be perfect. Some will be messy. All of them will grow you.
So, keep jumping. Just bring your wisdom with you
Until next time,
Michele
