The cost of playing it safe

I had an acquaintance at University who I was paired with in group projects frequently.

Initially, I found her impressive. She was outspoken and always got good grades.

But as I observed her, I realised that it was all style and no substance.

She would paraphrase what someone else had already said in class discussions.

For group projects, she only tackled the easiest part—the introduction—leaving the rest of the work to others.

That made me reflect: Why didn’t she push herself to do more, to work hard, and to learn new things?

Sure enough, she really struggled in the first couple of years after university. She was in a job where she had to think, make decisions and manage stakeholders, and she was like a deer caught in the headlights.

If she had challenged and embraced the hard parts of University, she could have built the resilience necessary for those early years of her career.

Today’s Prompts

1 - What am I avoiding because it feels too difficult or uncomfortable?

2 - What is one small way I could challenge myself today, even if it feels risky?

3 - Who in my life is playing it safe, and how can I help them push their limits?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!