RISK: A good four-letter word
By Alice Crann Good / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Today, copious amounts of information provided by New York Times best-selling authors, master life coaches, mentors and medical professionals educate women on the importance of tackling a call to action: Take risks!
Do it, because it can be life-changing, says research professor, social worker and chart-topping author Brené Brown in her book “Daring Greatly.”
Devoting decades to studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy, Brown makes a strong point: “When we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena — whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation.”
Emmy-winning life coach and best-selling author Rhonda Britten is on the same page. Britten is the author of several best-sellers and the free guide “From Fear to Freedom — How Fear Secretly Sabotages Your Happiness and Success.”
On her website, Britten shares: “Fear’s job is to keep us safe. It wants you to stay stuck right where you are. The tricky part is that fear doesn’t always show up as teeth-chattering, heart-pounding terror. It can show up as worry, anger, confusion, self-doubt, disappointment, frustration, procrastination, and more.”
A PROFESSIONAL
PENSACOLIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Cover Brooks, a Pensacola Women’s Alliance board member who mentors and empowers women from all walks of life to reach their goals, stresses it’s not necessarily your fault if you are fearful.
“With risk is fear, and fear is inherent in all of us,” Brooks said. “Fear is a way that our bodies try to protect us. Our body wants us to stay in the fear lane, but we have to break away in order to continue to grow, learn and expand to meet our goals.”
It’s difficult; change is hard, but it’s necessary to get out of your comfort zone, Brooks said.
“We are all responsible for our own lives, and every action we take should get us closer to our goal,” Brooks added. “It doesn’t have to be big actions; it’s about taking steps.”
Still, even inching forward can induce fear, she said.
“When we think of our lives and what we should do, our analytical self naturally thinks about the risks and fear — the fear that we are not good enough, the fear of what other people might think, the fear of the unknown and failure.”
On the other hand, “Some people are better at putting on blinders, not listening to the brain chatter, and going after the goal faster than others,” she said.
Go ahead and recognize fear, but do not let it stop you, Brooks advised. And don’t let others stop you, she said.
“Women, people in general, are scared of change. So, when someone they know takes a big risk, they may take on the fear for that person. It’s not necessarily that they are not supporting the person, but they may not have such a broad point of view, may not have the same perspective. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s limiting on how people can support one another.”
Now a Morgan Stanley wealth manager, Brooks is a risk taker who left a corporate job in Memphis she had for 15 years when she and her husband decided to move the family back to Pensacola.
“That was a huge risk, but it’s all about what is best for us and our family,” Brooks said. “Remember, you have to break down the fear to be comfortable with your decisions.”
A SUPER SUCCESSFUL RISK
Jennifer Richardson’s story reveals she has experienced all of the above. She is still in awe when recalling one of the most monumental risks she has ever taken.
Richardson graduated from the University of South Alabama with a master’s degree in physician assisted studies in 1999 and straightaway joined Dr. Gary Gotthelf MD and Associates in Pensacola.
“He was a huge advocate for physician assistants and mentored me for over two decades,” Richardson said. “When it came time for his retirement, I felt strongly that the practice needed to maintain its independence.”
Since another physician didn’t show an interest in purchasing the practice, and after “a tremendous amount of consideration” and with the support of her husband, Richardson purchased the practice in 2021. Gotthelf retired in 2022.
As a PA, Richardson is the proud owner of Emerald Coast Medical Group.
“With that came overcoming a lot of fear,” Richardson said. “My primary fear was rejection. I was going to have to find physicians who were of the same mindset and interested in the benefits of private practice, but were also willing to work for me, not a physician, but a physician assistant.
“Fortunately, I have found several like-minded physicians who recognize that we have a relationship of mutual respect, and our goals to provide quality medical care align.”
Fear No. 2: Financial failure.
“My husband and I have both worked since high school,” Richardson shared. “We are hard workers who have worked to secure our financial future and our children’s education. Purchasing this practice meant refinancing our home and risking our financial future should it not be successful. Fortunately, that has proven not to be an issue.”
Richardson said another fear was how owning the practice would impact family life.
“All of this occurred at a time when my youngest son was a senior in high school,” she recalled. “He witnessed us working late into the night, most nights for quite a while, but fortunately we were able to carve out time and prioritize our family life.
“I’m grateful both of our boys have watched us work hard over the past three years and have seen what overcoming fear and hard work can create.”
And she is overjoyed her sons have witnessed a win for women everywhere.
“I firmly believe that during childhood it is encouraged for girls to be more cautious and tempered and for boys to be more gregarious and bolder in their behaviors,” Richardson said. “I believe to some extent this carries over into adulthood.”
An essential role in Richardson’s life today is sharing her knowledge, skills and experiences as a coach and teacher. She is a preceptor for the University of South Alabama master’s physician assistant program and the Florida State University physician assistant program, and she mentors pre-PA students for the University of West Florida.
She aspires to help women understand the importance of risk taking.
“In my decades of practice, I have had numerous conversations with women who have limited themselves due to fear and the discomfort that’s associated with trying something new,” Richardson said.
So, she returns to square one and reiterates how it all starts by taking one step at a time.
“One such example is women often tell me that they are intimidated to go into the gym because they don’t know what to do,” Richardson said. “I challenge them and tell them that the sense of discomfort they feel is nothing compared to the growth and sense of accomplishment they will feel once they walk through the doors of the gym and ask for help.”
Richardson’s bottom line: “Fear of taking risks in our business and personal lives is immensely limiting. Our capacity as women is only limited by us.”
Risk-taking 101
A Pensacola Women’s Alliance board member who mentors and empowers women from all walks of life, Cover Brooks says beat the fear of taking risks by identifying the fear relative to what it is you are trying to accomplish. Change careers? Travel to Europe solo? Tell someone you love them? Buy a house?
Brooks’ tips:
We are all responsible for our own lives, and it is important to know what you want. Set some goals.
Every day, take action that gets you closer to those goals. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Identify what is holding you back and ask yourself why? Is it a true concern or just fear of the unknown? Take steps to dissolve the unknown — practice, educate, talk to others.
Act toward your goals and stretch yourself; it is the only way to accomplish them.
Remember it is normal to feel uncomfortable. As we grow, we experience growing pains.
Action leads to motivation, motivation leads to progress, and progress leads to accomplishment and a feeling of pride. Be proud of who you are, what you do and what you have yet to accomplish!
