Playing it safe might feel comfortable, but it’s not going to get you where you really want to be.
If you want extraordinary results, you’ve got to be willing to take a few risks, whether that’s trying a new strategy, pivoting your approach, or chasing that idea you’ve been secretly excited about but too scared to test.
Take the story of Howard Schultz, the man who turned Starbucks into a global powerhouse.
When Schultz first visited a coffee shop in Milan, he was inspired by the Italian culture of coffee and community.
At the time, Starbucks only sold coffee beans and equipment.
Schultz envisioned something bigger — he wanted to transform Starbucks into a café that served high-quality coffee and created a welcoming environment where people could connect.
It was a bold idea that many resisted.
At the time, Americans weren’t yet accustomed to spending more than a dollar on a cup of coffee or lingering in cafés like the Italians.
Despite the pushback, Schultz took the risk, eventually buying the company and implementing his vision.
I think we all know what happened next.
Starbucks revolutionized coffee culture and became a brand recognized around the world.
Schultz teaches us that chasing a bold vision, even in the face of uncertainty, can lead to extraordinary success.
Keep that in mind the next time fear tries to hold you back — your vision could be the game-changer the world needs.
Things might not work out exactly as planned, but every step forward is a lesson, and every lesson gets you closer to success.
Stop holding yourself back.
You didn’t start your business just to blend in, did you?