Caution or courage? The echo of “Be Careful”

"Be careful!" a worried mother called to her daughter as the inquisitive youngster ran off up the track ahead. There was no real obvious danger, the cry almost seemed instinctive...ingrained. A warning against the unspecific threat of simply going out into the world.

It got me thinking about how often we have heard, or ourselves use the warning "Be careful!"​​ and the impact this has on us and our way of interacting with the world, each other, and even ourselves.

From a young age, many women are routinely cautioned, "Be careful." This phrase, though seemingly innocent, carries with it a myriad of implicit suggestions about vulnerability, limitation, and the need for protection. While the intention is often to protect us and keep us safe, it inadvertently places us in a box of caution that can limit our experiences and growth, particularly in life, relationships and business.

The phrase "be careful" has been engrained in us, evolving from a simple precaution into a subconscious guideline that we carry through life. The constant reinforcement of this message throughout childhood, adolescence and even adult life subtly suggests that the world is a threatening place, particularly for women, reinforcing gender stereotypes and teaching us to constantly second-guess ourselves. 

This ingrained caution can have profound effects on both our personal and our professional lives. It can translate into an hesitation to take on leadership roles, reluctance to engage in healthy conflict, or a fear of asserting ourselves in business or relationships. Women might shy away from showing up as their true authentic selves, putting themselves out there in their business or taking calculated risks, all key aspects of entrepreneurial success, due to this internalised message of caution. The potential for growth and success is hindered as the warning "be careful" echoes in our minds whenever we stand on the precipice of decision-making. 

So, how can we begin to challenge and change this narrative? One powerful method is by embracing experiences that push us beyond our comfort zones. A great example of this is venturing into the wild, in the most literal sense.

Outdoor adventures, wilderness exploration, and spending time out in the wild with a group of women can be transformative experiences. These activities compel us to stretch our comfort zones, explore our fears, discover our abilities, and demonstrate our resilience. They require us to push our edges, encouraging us to see past the limitations we've internalised. Whether it's hiking, camping or learning to make fire, each activity provides a chance to challenge our perceived limitations.

Being out in the wild can help us understand that we are more capable, adaptable, and resilient than we've been led to believe. It's a physical manifestation of our strength and in(ter)dependence, showing us that we can handle challenges, overcome obstacles, and thrive outside the comfort zone within which we have been trained to stay.

In the wild, we get to try new experiences that our outside our current belief set. When we are out in the wild and supported to succeed, and also fail (and learn from those failures), we learn that a lot of the caution we’ve been brought up with (“don’t fail, don’t get hurt, don’t be too much, don’t rock the boat…”) with isn’t actually helpful. We learn that in many situations we can't afford to be overly cautious. We have to trust our judgment, make decisions, and rely on our abilities. We learn that risk is an integral part of life, and rather than shying away from it, we can manage it and even leverage it to our advantage.

These experiences don't just stay in the wilderness; they permeate into our daily lives. The courage, resilience, and decisiveness we cultivate in the wild can greatly empower us in our personal and professional lives. We learn to navigate boardrooms with the same confidence we navigate hiking trails, juggle busy day to day lives with the same care we tend a fire, and approach business risks with the same strategy and forethought as we do a tough climb.

Let's strive to replace the cautionary "be careful" with the empowering "be courageous." After all, women are not fragile creatures in need of constant protection. We are strong, resilient, and capable of facing whatever challenges life or business throws our way. The wild is just one platform for us to realise and harness our potential, but its lessons are universal. Whether in the wilderness, the office, or life itself, courage, not caution, should guide our paths.

If you’d like more courage in your life, register for my next online workshop “Wild Curiosity: Live Wild, Thrive”, where we’ll be exploring how Being Wild - including how to access more wild courage - can help you thrive in all aspects of life and business.

Can’t make the workshop? Book a free discovery call with me and let’s explore together how accessing more wildness could help you thrive!