Risk Forward

Author: Victoria Labalme

Three-Sentence Summary

• "Risk Forward" helps readers understand that it's okay not to have all the answers and encourages them to take risks in order to discover their true passion.
• Victoria Labalme offers a fresh perspective on personal growth and transformation, urging readers to embrace uncertainty and find their own path, rather than following societal expectations.
• Using real-life experiences, stories, and exercises, the book guides individuals through periods of transition and uncertainty, helping them move forward with confidence.

Extended Summary

"Risk Forward" is a motivational book that encourages readers to embrace the unknown and take risks. Author Victoria Labalme argues that it's okay not to have a clear plan or direction in life. Instead of following societal norms or expectations, she advocates for finding one's unique path.

The book offers a fresh perspective on personal growth and transformation. It contains numerous exercises and questions meant to provoke deep thought about one's life purpose. Labalme uses her own experiences as well as stories from her clients to illustrate her points.

Throughout "Risk Forward," Labalme emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice when making decisions, believing in oneself even when others don't, staying curious, and being open-minded. She also discusses how embracing uncertainty can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Labalme’s writing style is engaging and her message is empowering. The book provides practical tools for navigating periods of transition or uncertainty with grace and confidence.

Key Points

1. It's okay not to have all the answers; embracing uncertainty can lead to new opportunities.
2. Personal growth comes from taking risks and finding your unique path rather than following societal norms.
3. Believing in oneself and staying open-minded are key to navigating life transitions with confidence.

Who Should Read

"Risk Forward" is perfect for anyone at a crossroads in their life, whether it's a career change, personal transition, or just a general feeling of uncertainty. It's also ideal for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone interested in personal growth and self-improvement. The book’s empowering message and practical advice will resonate with those looking for guidance during uncertain times.

About the Author

Victoria Labalme is a renowned speaker, performance strategist, and the founder of Rock The Room®, a communication training company. With over 20 years of performing arts experience on Broadway and in Hollywood films, she brings an unconventional approach to business strategy. She has helped thousands of people achieve breakthrough performances in their work and lives.

Further Reading

• Victoria Labalme's Website
• Books by Victoria Labalme:
  • "Crazy Busy Nuts: Get More Done & Have More Fun"
  • "Engage Your Stage: A Crash Course on Using Speaker Platforms to Market Your Business"
• Related Books:
  • "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown
  • "The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander

Highlights

• 1. What interests you know?
  2. What lights you up?
  3. What stops time for you?
  4. What don't you want? None

• EARLY IDEAS OFTEN look odd

  • Who are you to do this?
  • Is that the best use of your time?
  • Are you sure it's going to work?
  • How exactly will that make money?
  • I don't get it. Why would someone be interested? None

• The Prism Effect
  When we don't see a reflection in the outside world of what we find within ourselves, the temptation is to hide parts of who we really are in order to fit into a mold.
  But if you think of the metaphor of light shining through a prism, the prism reveals that white light is actually comprised of a full range of colors fused together.
  If you remove one of the colors, the light dims.
  The same is true for you. None

• "Any creative endeavor is a discovery. You start out with a gut sense that something feels worthwhile only to realize it's shallow and stale. Then you're lost for a while, not sure where to turn. Only by wrestling through countless rewrites and late nights of self-doubt do you find something new. You can't make a new discovery by following a preprinted map." None

• DON'T OUTSOURCE YOUR VISION
  When a vision is not yet clear, and when we're hesitant to Risk Forward, it's tempting to hand over the reins.
  We want someone else to make the decisions. We want them to tell us what to do.
  We assume that because we're not yet clear, we never will be.
  Clarity is a process.
  And sometimes the project, plan, or path tells you what it wants to be and at that point, it takes on a life of its own, and it guides you. None

• MAKE YOUR OWN MISTAKES
  "I would rather follow my instincts and make a mistake than follow someone else's instincts and make a mistake. If you follow someone else's instincts and fail, you've failed and it's not even your own. At the end of the day, you want ownership even over your mistakes. And for that matter, l'll go even further. I'd rather follow my own instincts and fail than follow someone else's instincts and succeed." -Frank Oz
  Risking forward requires being willing to make mistakes. None