The legendary improv comedian, screenwriter, and underestimated director (yes, standing up for Ishtar) Elaine May had a motto which has been repeated in different iterations for decades:

The only safe thing is to take a chance.

According to her long-time comedy partner Mike Nichols, this wasn’t as contradictory as it sounds:

If you stay safe, and don’t take a chance—don’t do something that’s different from the last thing, something that makes you nervous and holds dangers—if you keep trying to do the thing that worked last time, the encrustations of mannerisms begin to take you over. And pretty soon you’re no good at all—and therefore not safe at all…

Avoid those encrustations of mannerisms at all cost.