Risk Forward: Embrace the Unknown and Unlock Your Hidden Genius

Oh how I love this book!Victoria Labalme has written the book I didn't know that I needed... but now that I have it, I can see it's the book my creative spirit has been yearning for!So many times in my life the BEST creations have happened when I was just "following the white rabbit" - trusting my instincts and "finding my way." And that can feel somehow "wrong" in this world where everyone seems to want you to have a plan. Where decisiveness is praised. And where uncertainty or hesitancy is considered a weakness.In Risk Forward, Victoria Labalme gives all of us permission to "not know" - and in fact - to embrace not knowing as a part of the creative process... to risk stepping into that space of uncertainty where possibility is born and where our own genius resides.I particularly liked that she does this with beautiful words, yes, but also with the SPACE she creates in this book. Space to think and dream and dwell. Space to grow and space to evolve.From the minute I looked inside the pages, I knew this book was something very different and very special... powerful, succinct writing, where phrase after phrase knocks you off your feet with it's profundity. But also whimsical characters who guide you through the book. Meaningful drawings and illustrations. Stories that will touch your soul and inspire your creative self. And color!!!It's a book that doesn't preach, but rather opens the door on our own wisdom and potential and invites us to stay a while in that space. And in a world that's constantly pulling us out of that space in a thousand directions, what Victoria gives us is a welcomed and precious respite. A field where she meets us and invites us to play.While I like books that give the "7 Steps" or the "3 Ways" you won't find that in this book... and it's all the stronger for it in my opinion. This is something Victoria Labalme tells us from the start, "if you're looking for a "step-by-step formula" you won't find it here... because there is no formula outside of you. YOU are the formula."I like this idea a lot. And so much of what she shares resonated so deeply with me. It's a book I will be returning to time and time again. It's a book I am going to give to my kids and my clients and my friends. She's managed to write a book that I think EVERYONE can benefit from.I feel like I could go on and on about this book, but it's also such a beautiful experience to discover - right from the highly original way she displays the table of contents (no spoilers here!) through to the final words that definitely left a lump in my throat and will stay with me for a long, long time... it's just something you need to experience for yourself.Highly recommend this book! It is a joy and a masterpiece! Destined to be a classic!

The best thing about this book is how simple, yet immersive and engaging it is. No matter how bad my day was, or how much anxiety I feel - all that stuff falls away when I open the book. Each page invites me to discover something I enjoy about myself or reveals a new insight, and I keep marking pages that I know I'll come back to often. In my work, I consult with many executives, giving them valuable business advice, and yet the page about what advice people should take and which they should reject, was brilliant - wish I had read Victoria's perspective on this many years ago.Overall, I recommend the book to anyone who ever second guesses themselves, has anxiety about fulfilling their potential or feels they have more to contribute to others and to the world. I'm one of these people and I constantly stress and get in my own way. Every page of Risk Forward is like having a best friend say exactly the right things, at exactly the right moment to remind you that life is indeed good, that you can accomplish great things, and that you are amazing right now - exactly as you are.

It’s a pithy little book to pick up and flip through...filled with motivational advice designed to sound encouraging without actually offering any substance. And perhaps the links might one day lead to more content (as the book implies) but for now (the week of publication) the author just wants readers to focus on the book itself. I suppose if you need inspirational jargon and don’t mind finishing the book with no more than advice to go with the flow of not knowing you might enjoy this. I thought it was a waste of the scant little time it took to read. Stick figure pictures took up most of the space.

I've been waiting for this book to arrive - it's not a book you "have to" read front to back, or all at 1 sitting. It's inspiration each time you read a new page. I like to open it at random, look at the picture, read the word/phrase, and internalize it: what does it mean to me? What is it saying to me today?I'm not giving away any of the pages ;-) but my emotions range from "that's so me right now!" to "yeah! I want that feeling!" to "okay, I see what I need to do next".Risk Forward is definitely going into my morning routine.

This book touched me deeply on a personal level and brought up both excitement as well as such sadness too. With all the upheaval from COVID I feel like I’m in a place in my life where I’m in this burst of creativity and vision and am just exhausted from trying to explain my ideas to - those that want me to present a vision fully formed. We have never been here before people. We have to think in a new way. Kudos to Victoria for providing a roadmap to navigate through the unknown. Your book reminded me to protect as well as hold true to my vision and gave me some ammunition with which to make an ask for more support to work in a different way for the linear people in my life. I especially loved Frank Oz’s contribution and of course it was absolutely exquisite to hear your mother’s elegance, grace and nobility represented so beautifully in the "this is my life’s work" story. You are a gorgeous writer. Thank YOU for saving the day and reminding us all that the time to risk forward is NOW.

I just got my book today. And I had just got the painting (in my picture) to put up in my kitchen also. I briefly looked through the book but wanted to get a review submitted. This is colorful. I mean really colorful. And I like that it can be interactive online. Not your ordinary book. I read a lot and I believe this is going to be something I keep close to be a guide. I will read it all first and then place it near my reading chair so I can grab it just when I get that feeling of stepping into unknown situations that could really use some inspiration or guidance. Wonderful book Victoria. Quite unique. Everyone should have one. I thank you!!

Victoria has created something truly special and unique with Risk Forward. Most business books tell you that you need an exact blueprint to be successful, but what I love most about Victoria's beautifully illustrated book is that it tells you to be more you and to feel comfortable with not knowing exactly what comes next. She tells you loud and clear that everyone is scared at some point, but that shouldn't stop you from discovering your path and forging ahead with creating a powerful legacy. This book is for everyone who has ever felt unsure of what they wanted to achieve, but knew they had something greater inside themselves that the world would love.

Shorter than I expected but nice biography. Setting goals is not necessarily the key to happiness. But neither is following your bliss. This is one person's journey of choosing activities that engaged her fully in life, following synchronicities, trusting the process and being fulfilled. There is a path for everyone and I have shared this particular message with people who needed to a hear that a non-linear career path is a valid choice. It is not the same as being directionless.

I was looking forward to reading this but definitely a let down. Online resources mentioned are not available yet. Some of the 162 pages only had a small cartoon of a person. This is more of an information leaflet with name dropping . Has a few random interesting ideas,n othing new to learn. Expensive price for such a short book. I do read quickly but even taking notes it took me around d 40 mins

This book is beautifully and carefully designed. It does not take long to read but cleverly written. I highly recommend and love her humility and skill in giving sage advice. Something I plan to read multiple times. I love it!

Too often in life time is wasted wondering “do I follow my heart or my head.” Risk Forward helps you to cut through the societal fog that serves to distort our vision and makes us believe there is a “right way” that each of us needs to find.Victoria Lablame’s words helps the reader to recognize it is 100% okay to move forward, even if you have more questions than you have answers. This book isn’t a roadmap, it’s more of a high-beam light illuminating the way on the timetable that is unique to each of us.As readers we are encouraged to jump around, I suggest starting at page 31, do the Desserted Island exercise then start from the beginning…or not. It’s your unique experience.Although this is a business book, I believe there are times in everyone’s lives (hello pandemic) where some inspired reading is just the ticket we need. This tiny book is a quick read that will provide you with the inspiration you need to put you first on tomorrow’s To Do list.