I was never a risk-taker. Not even close, actually.

My worry-wart nature has a lot to do with my aversion to change. What will it mean? What if it doesn’t work out? What if I (god forbid) FAIL?!

It’s much safer to live in status quo, right? Not necessarily.

The biggest risk I took happened in 2006, when I decided to move to Los Angeles. I didn’t have much of a plan; I actually didn’t even know a lot about the city and its inner-workings. But, I somehow found the courage to pack up my little SUV and make the three-day drive… all by myself. It was likely the scariest and yet most empowering step I’d taken up to that point.

Now, 10+ years later, I realize just what an impact that decision had. I learned a ton about myself and about others in my life. I met new and interesting people, some of whom are my absolute best friends today.

Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been easy. I have failed. I have cried many, many times. I’ve had to pick myself up and dust myself off on a number of occasions. And yet, I’m still growing and morphing into the person I want to be.

This is a message journalist Shelby Stanger is spreading with her podcast Wild Ideas Worth Living. Shelby recently joined Rewired Radio host, Erica Spiegelman, to share how (and where) she found inspiration to take risks, which in turn has allowed her to share stories of others doing the same.

One of her biggest messages is that change is not unearned. We take time off when we’re sick to allow ourselves to get better, but we don’t take that time to work on BEING better. In the same vein, we put a lot of effort into the work we get paid to do, but not the work on ourselves and our goals.

Shelby says her five-minute meditation every morning allows her to be at least 60 percent more productive the rest of the day. When you can live in the quiet, you give permission for your gut, heart and soul to be heard.

Once you have a goal, set up small, everyday steps to work towards it. Take some sort of action every day, and make those tasks a priority. And, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reaching out isn’t weak. Recognize that doing something on your own is really, really hard.

Shelby also advises listening to other people’s stories, which can be incredibly inspiring. This is where social media can be a positive tool.

There isn’t necessarily a “right” time to do anything, whether it’s quitting your job, getting married, moving, or whatever type of change you might face. You don’t have to hit rock bottom, either. Sometimes feeling numb or bored is enough to spur you into action, so let those feelings speak to you and guide you.

I adore this episode (and Shelby and her story too!). I hope you take a listen.