In moments of uncertainty, when the world feels especially fragile or unpredictable, many of us instinctively retreat. We seek safety, familiarity, control. But paradoxically, it is in these very moments that boldness becomes most necessary—and most rewarding.
Winston Churchill once said, “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do something special—unique to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified.”
In uncertain times, that “tap on the shoulder” often comes disguised—as disruption, as upheaval, as fear. Yet for those willing to take the risk, to lean into discomfort rather than away from it, those very disruptions can reveal the path to purpose, creativity, and transformation.
I’ve experienced this in my own journey more times than I can count. When I co-founded iCadenza and later Cadenza Artists, there was no roadmap. No one gave us permission. I left the safety of a traditional path—music conservatory, performance career—and stepped into the unknown world of entrepreneurship. I was driven not by certainty, but by a deep conviction that there had to be a better way to support artists as full humans, and to build careers that honored both soul and sustainability.
Later, launching the Eden Arts Festival during a time when the arts were reeling from a global pandemic and sociopolitical polarization felt, frankly, mad. But I knew that the moment demanded it. The world needed spaces that uplifted beauty, curiosity, and connection. And I needed to believe that even in chaos, something luminous could emerge.
I’ve experienced this in my own journey more times than I can count. When I co-founded iCadenza and later Cadenza Artists, there was no roadmap—no permission, just a deep conviction that there had to be a better way to support artists as whole humans and build careers rooted in both soul and sustainability. I left the safety of a traditional path and stepped into the unknown. Years later, launching the Eden Arts Festival during a time when the arts were reeling from a global pandemic and sociopolitical polarization felt, frankly, mad! But I believed the world needed spaces for beauty, curiosity, and connection—even in the midst of chaos.
What I’ve learned is this: those who take risks during uncertain times are not reckless. They are resilient. They are not fearless—they’ve simply made peace with fear, and refuse to be governed by it.
Why Risk-Takers Are Rewarded
It’s not just about luck or timing. Risk-takers are often rewarded because they are the ones moving while others are frozen. They’re experimenting, failing forward, learning quickly. They gain experience faster. Their boldness sets them apart. In creative industries especially, standing still is often the biggest risk of all.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Risk-takers innovate. They expand what’s possible. And in the process, they invite others to follow—into new art forms, new business models, new paradigms.
How to Strengthen Your Risk Tolerance Muscle
Risk tolerance isn’t an innate trait—it’s a practice. Like any muscle, it grows with repetition. Here are a few practical ways to stretch yours:
- Start small, but start now.
You don’t need to upend your life to take a meaningful risk. Pitch the project you’ve been sitting on. Reach out to the person you admire. Say yes before you feel ready. Action builds courage. - Normalize uncertainty.
Uncertainty is not the enemy. It’s the birthplace of every great work of art, every innovation, every revolution. Reframe uncertainty as a space of possibility, not paralysis. - Reflect on past risks—and their outcomes.
What risks have you taken in your life so far? What did you learn? Even when things didn’t go as planned, did they lead to growth? Chances are, they did. Let that history fortify you. - Find community.
Surround yourself with people who dream big and dare boldly. Risk becomes less frightening when you’re not walking alone. At iCadenza, we’ve built a community where that kind of boldness is celebrated and supported.
Create your personal “why.”
Knowing what you’re risking for makes the leap easier. For me, I take risks to build spaces that heal, connect, and inspire. What are you building? What would you regret not risking for?
From Surviving to Creating
Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” That act of creation—of shaping your life and work with intention—is inherently risky. But it’s also your greatest source of agency.
So if the ground beneath your feet feels shaky right now, you’re not alone. But perhaps that’s the very invitation. Not to retreat, but to rise. Not to wait, but to lead. Not to protect the past, but to imagine a new future—and be brave enough to build it.
We are living through a time that will be remembered. What role will you play in it? What risk will you take?
And what new world might it lead to?
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Julia Torgovitskaya Levitan is the co-founder of iCadenza and Cadenza Artists and the founder of the Eden Arts Festival. A trained operatic singer and creative entrepreneur, she supports visionary artists in building inspired, sustainable careers.
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