Problem: Article: One of the reasons people struggle with taking risks is because they are not confident that they will be able to handle the stress, responsibility, or pressure that comes along with it. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for, so stop doubting your own abilities!  If you are considering moving to a new place, remind yourself that you have lots of skills and talents, so you should not be afraid of not being able to find a job or make new friends. If you want to ask someone on a date but you're worried she might say no, remind yourself that you are a great person with a lot to offer and that you will be just fine even if she does say no. You may be so bogged down with worries about the consequences of taking a risk that you forget there are consequences involved with not taking a risk also. If you never take risks, you will always be settling and living with regret. This constitutes a serious risk as well, as you may not be living the fulfilling life you really want. For example, if you are thinking about taking a new job that you think you will enjoy much more than your current job, but you are concerned that it is not as secure as your current job, consider that you risk being unhappy and never enjoying your work if you stay where you are. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk and danger. It can be beneficial to push your comfort zone a little to reach for things you want to accomplish, but there's no need to compare your own risk-taking to others.  Don't let anyone pressure you into taking risks. You should take them because you want to, not because other people want you to. On the other hand, don't let people talk you out of doing something risky just because they would not be comfortable with doing it. What matters is your comfort level, not anyone else's. It's always possible that your risk may not pay off, but it's important to keep the consequences in perspective. People tend to overestimate both the likelihood that something will go wrong and the severity of the consequences that will ensue. Take a minute to reflect on what would actually happen if your risk didn't pay off and how you would handle it. For example, if you want to take the risk of making a public announcement about an important issue, you might stop yourself because you think that you will forget what you have to say, that people will laugh at you and that your entire life will be ruined. Consider that even if you forgot what you wanted to say and people laughed at you, there is a very small probability that this would ruin the rest of your life. Stop living the life that you think other people expect you to live, and start living the life you really want to live. If you aren't constantly worrying about disappointing others or embarrassing yourself, it will be much easier for you to take risks in life.  If you are getting a lot of pushback from your friends and loved ones about your decisions, try having a talk with them. Say something like, "I really want to do this, and I find it very upsetting that you are so judgmental of it." You can try to explain your decisions to others, but don't feel like you have to justify them to anyone except yourself. Consider who you want to share your big risk with and talk to them after you have made your decision. Once you've decided that a risk is worth taking, try visualizing the scenario in your head several times with everything going exactly as planned. Don't let negative thoughts about things that could go wrong creep into your head. This positive thinking will help you build the confidence you need to go through with your risk. If you find yourself dwelling on possible negative outcomes, try repeating the desired outcome to yourself out loud. It may also help to remind yourself of all of the precautions you will be taking to prevent the negative thing from happening.
Summary: Stop underestimating yourself. Consider the risks of settling. Remember that risk is relative. Be realistic about what could go wrong. Let go of what others think. Picture everything going well.

Problem: Article: Once you’ve selected healthy rose stems, you’ll want to cut them so that they’re 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut right above the first set of leaves at a 45 degree angle.  Try to take your rose cuttings in the morning so that they’re hydrated.  Clean your tools well with rubbing alcohol before you use them. It’s very important for the rose cuttings to stay hydrated so that they don’t dry out before you plant them. Immediately after you take the rose cuttings, put them in a cup of room temperature water until you’re ready to transfer them. Ideally, you’ll be ready to put them into the soil right after you cut the stems. Since you cut the rose stem right above a set of leaves, those top leaves are the only ones you’ll want to keep. The rest of the leaves on the stem should be removed using the pruning shears or sharp scissors. While this is optional, most people who take rose cuttings use some type of rooting hormone powder to help the cuttings take root. Make sure the base of the rose cutting is damp before dipping it into the powder. Gently tap off any excess powder. Wash your tools with rubbing alcohol again when you're done.
Summary: Cut the stem above the first set of leaves at a 45 degree angle. Put the rose cuttings directly into water. Remove all of the leaves except the ones at the top. Dip the end of the rose cuttings into a rooting hormone.

Problem: Article: Once you have been selected for the academy, you will attend it for half a year. The training is free to you. The training is difficult, both mentally and physically. In addition, you are paid a salary while you are training. Much of what you do at the academy will be focused on what you can learn in the classroom. You will cover several areas. One of the main areas you will cover, of course, is the law. You must know the law to enforce it, so you will learn about everything from sex crimes to search and seizure. You'll also spend time on human relations. You'll need to learn about how to manage stress and how to relate to the community, as well as how to deal with the media and how to react appropriately to cultural issues.  In addition, you will need to learn how to investigate, how to communicate over the radio, and how to write reports. You'll also need to learn Spanish and how to perform traffic stops. Another area you'll focus on is driving skills. The main portion of this section will be on how to operate emergency vehicles, including the best way to pursue suspects and how to drive defensively. You'll learn how to perform these maneuvers as safely as possible. You'll be taught how to handle several weapons, including a sidearm and a shotgun. You'll also be trained to learn how to handle chemical weapons. While undergoing this training, you'll learn how to handle them safely, as well as how to shoot them well. With tactics, you'll learn what you need to do when you approach crimes that are already happening or when you enter a building to search it. You'll also learn when deadly force is necessary and when you should draw your gun. Of course, you must be physically fit to enter the academy, but you will continue your physical training while there. You will perform physical conditioning. You'll also be taught the physical parts of the job, such as how to arrest a person. The LAPD has specific training it will give you to enter its workforce. For instance, you will learn about your in-car computer, performing operations with dogs, cultural diversity, and many other topics.
Summary:
Be selected. Focus on classroom training. Learn driving skills. Train in weapon handling and tactics. Develop physical fitness. Learn LAPD training.