Hey listeners - welcome back to Unleashed. The title of today's podcast is: Bet on Yourself
Ok - listen… I'm not a gambler. Not in the slightest. But - I have watched enough movies to understand the basics of poker… and I know we've all seen that scene… the scene where the dude sitting at the poker table looks at his cards, then at his opponent and pushes all the chips to the center.
Inevitably, the opponent folds and the chips come flying back to the player… regardless of what was in his hands. It's always so interesting to me… especially as a trained psychologist. What is happening in that moment? That moment where the player musters up the courage, regardless of what's in his hand to push those chips to the center.
I mean - it makes sense… when the cards are stacked in your favor… going all in is easy. But, how often is that?
More frequently - that player has a mediocre hand or even a losing hand and still makes the leap. And - that's what I want to dive in to today.
My mom is a serial entrepreneur. She'd say she wasn't a successful entrepreneur because she didn't sell her businesses for millions, but I have a different perspective. She successfully started, ran and sold more than one business… I'd call that a success.
Anyway - when she was in her 50's, she and her sister decided to start a business together… a sausage business. Her family heritage had a long line of butchers/grocers and they had a family recipe for sausage, so began making their own - which eventually turned into a business that lasted years and years… and is still being run (not by her) today.
I'm intrigued by this notion. The idea that, in our 50's, we can still create and begin. But - what does that take? Of course, I'm especially intrigued by this because I recently left the safety of a "real" job to bet on myself with this work…. And let me tell you - it's freaking hard.
I think that's because we believe betting on ourself means we have to have it all figured out. We have to have the plan, the answers all sorted. We have to have the perfect hand to go all in. But - I think that's a lie. If you're waiting for the perfect hand, it's likely never going to come. You're never going to have it all sorted out, all the answers documented… isn't that what this journey called life actually is? Learning, growing, changing, evolving every day?
Ok - before I jump in more deeply, I want to acknowledge… the bets I'm referring to here with my mom and myself are big bets… but perhaps that's not what's happening in your life. Perhaps, in your life, the bet I'm referring to is standing up for yourself in a tough conversation, it's taking time for yourself every evening while your partner takes care of the household, maybe it's advocating for your needs in your relationship or asking for a raise at work. These are all bets… and all of these bets are equally important to your personal growth.
And, betting on yourself isn't about blind optimism or wishful thinking; it's about unwavering self-belief. It's about trusting your instincts, honoring your gifts, and embracing whatever comes your way. When you bet on yourself, you make a bold declaration to the world that you are worthy, capable and destined for big things. I get it - that's easier said than done. But… what's the alternative? That you stay where you are. I believe that life is about something bigger than standing still. You see… the world literally moves every day… on the good days and the bad, the ground beneath our feet is shifting… propelling us forward… literally. And, I think the real challenge we have is whether we're going to stay where we are and let the world around us spin… or whether we're going to take control of our own path… and begin moving in rhythm with the world around us… and beneath us. When we stand still… we give control to others. When we are brave enough to step forward on our own… we take that control back.
And, inevitably, failure will come, but failure isn't the opposite of success - it's an integral part of the journey. Every setback, detour, or stumbling block is an opportunity for growth and learning. My boys are wrestlers and one of the terms that is often spoken after a match is: if you're not winning, you're learning. I love that frame for them. The notion that winning is the goal, but losing is just learning. The idea that failure won't hold you back because it isn't the end of the journey, it's just a detour on your path to where you're going.
You see - when you bet on yourself, the journey is just as important as the destination. Betting on yourself isn't about always having the winning hand; it's about having the courage to play the game and bet on your potential. Sometimes you'll win big… and sometimes you won't… it IS a bet after all.
When my mom and her sister embarked on their sausage business venture in their 50s, they didn't have all the answers or guarantees of success. What they did have was a belief in themselves and their ability to adapt and learn along the way. They bet on their passion, their heritage, and their shared vision, and it paid off in ways they couldn't have imagined.
So, what's holding you back from betting on yourself? Is it fear of failure, self-doubt, or the unknown? Whatever it is, recognize that it's okay to feel uncertain and afraid. It's okay to take calculated risks and step outside your comfort zone. Because betting on yourself isn't about having a perfect hand… it's about believing that you can win with the hand you have AND then taking the risk to push your chips to the center.
As we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this: Trust in yourself, believe in your abilities, and bet on your potential. Whether you're facing a major career decision, pursuing a passion project, or simply navigating the complexities of everyday life, know that you have what it takes to succeed. So go ahead, push those chips to the center, and bet on yourself. You'll never know if you have a winning hand if you're not willing to place the bet.
Until next time, keep leading with courage and confidence and remember that you deserve to be unleashed.