Shooting Your Shot – Is it Worth The Risk?

Brief Summary:

✨ When to go for it or let it go? ✨ In my latest blog post, I’m spilling the tea on making bold moves in love, career, and life—and giving you the ultimate guide to leveling up with confidence. 💅🏾 Sis, it’s time to ask: Is it worth the risk or nah? 💭 Let’s figure it out together.

Let’s Jump In!

Madam CJ Walker once said, “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them” (Goodreads, 2025).

Ladies, we often find ourselves in a constant battle to figure out our next move. We examine, process, talk to others, and research all of the various pros and cons of the next step we will take in life.

Whether you’re going back to school, ending or starting a relationship, taking a new job, or even moving out, “shooting our shot” can be quite exhausting.

Building a vision board is one of my favorite things when deciding where to pivot next. I will sit down, pull pictures from Pinterest, and create an entire vibe of what I want the transition to look like.

For me, it’s not just about manifesting, it’s about visualizing. It’s about seeing the path I want to take and believing in it.

Some Psychologists believe that “visualization is a simple yet powerful technique that one can use to improve many facets of one’s life. They can use visualizations to improve mood, facilitate problem-solving and decision-making, and boost progress towards their goals” (Psychology Today, 2023).

But, although we visualize, we sometimes feel stagnant in moving forward with what we’ve already deemed our next move.

Stagnation is “a lack of activity or development” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2025). How many would describe at least one part of your life journey as stagnant?

I can only imagine there are at least a few who will say there were a few weeks, months, and years when they may have felt stuck.

It’s not that we don’t have ideas of where we want to go next. We get caught up in life and nervous, and if something doesn’t work out, how will we recover?

But by worrying and staying stagnant, we found ourselves passing on opportunities that could shift and change our lives completely.

Instead, we focus on the mundane routine of our lives, hoping for improvement but being too petrified to take a leap of faith.

The Bible says, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay” (Bible Gateway, 2025).

In our Motivated, Prosperous, and Prayed Up Group, we discussed things that hold us back. Specifically, we have been addressing how negative self-talk can lead to a cycle of anxiety that stops us from pursuing our dreams.

For example, we have addressed how statements like “I am not qualified or good enough” often prevent individuals from pursuing the things they have already determined to be theirs.

This led me to ask, “If the Lord prepares a table for us, why would we let words deter us from chasing after what God has already handled?”

I leave the same question for you today. If you’ve already dreamed of it and can see it, why not figure out how to achieve it?

The concept of “Shooting Your Shot” is often used in relation to dating, but it is relevant in multiple areas of life.

The same way you may slide in someone’s DMs is the same way you can reach out via LinkedIn to start building your network in a new career field. But, even further, it’s the same way you can send a DM to someone who inspires you and asks for mentorship so that you can be prepared when you pivot.

Listen, I know it can be awkward. As I work on it constantly, it’s uncomfortable. But I have learned that shooting your shot doesn’t only offer temporary benefits; it provides long-term insight that can build your success.

And often, individuals don’t shoot their shots because of the fear of rejection. But does one person’s “no,” define who you are or where you’re trying to go?

If so, don’t worry. We can discuss self-validation and overcome the idea that one person’s “yes or no” determines one’s growth.

But, if not, sis make the move. It’s time. Don’t sit idle. Get up!

One last question that often prevents us from pursuing our desires is, “Is it worth the risk?”

And, hey, I am not suggesting you do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable beyond resolve. Step out of your comfort zone, take a leap of faith, and explore what could be. Exploration does not have to mean jumping off the deep end.

So, here are four tips on how to know if shooting your shot is worth the risk.

1. Evaluate Your Intention: Ask yourself why this opportunity matters to you. Does it align with your values, long-term goals, or passions? If the intention is meaningful, it’s worth considering the risk.
2. Consider the Gains and the Fears Getting in Your Way: Reflect on what’s at stake. Will the potential benefits outweigh your fears of rejection, failure, or loneliness? If the worst-case scenario happened, would you be okay? If so, it’s worth considering the risk.
3. Consult Your Homies: Talk to individuals you trust, mentors, or loved ones who understand where you’ve been, where you’re currently, and where you’re trying to go next. Hear their thoughts, write them down, and consider. Most importantly, be willing to understand that they may be unable to support you in everything the new journey will provide.
4. Trust You & Seek God’s Counsel: As Black women, our intuition is powerful. Trust what you already know. So what, if the pivot doesn’t align with what you thought you’d be doing if it feels right, trust it. You will figure it out like you figured out your last career, relationship, etc.

Ladies, there’s no reason to hide your gifts and talents. Yes, the market is oversaturated, but that also means there’s room for everyone at the table.

I’ll leave you with this to consider. “Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them” (Mohr, 2014).

Replace the word [job] with anything you are considering “shooting your shot on.”

For example, replace [job] with car or [job] with business venture.

Now that you’ve replaced it shoot your shot, and be confident you have what it takes.

I will see you all next week as we discuss “Does the Media Lie to Us – The True State of Black Women in America?”

Remember to follow us on Instagram. We will chat more extensively about our post today. I will also share some motivational videos, podcasts, or books to consider when shooting your shot.

Let us know in the comments below where you are shooting your shot next.

Peace & Prosperity, as always,

Jadis DeShong-Venay

References:

Davis, T. (2023, November 20). How Visualization Can Benefit Your Well-Being. Psychology Today**.** https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-for-happiness/202308/how-visualization-can-benefit-your-well-being

GoodReads. (2025). Madam C.J. Walker Quotes. GoodReads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6565023-don-t-sit-down-and-wait-for-the-opportunities-to-come

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2025). Stagnation. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation

Mohr, T. (2014, August 25). Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified. Harvard Business Review**.** https://hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified