As you look back on your career and life to date, where do you wished you'd been a little braver, trusted in yourself more, and been less cautious in the chances you took?
When I have conversations with people in their thirties and beyond, many have told me if they could do their career over or parts of their lives over again, they'd have taken more risks, settled less and spoken up more. In short, they wished they'd been more courageous in the risks they'd taken.
We are all still young, but perhaps we all can relate. Often we know what it is we want to do, but we still don't do it. Why? Because, we are innately risk averse and afraid of putting our vulnerability on the line. The status quo, while not particularly fulfilling, can seem like an easier, softer, less scary, option. Today, advances in brain imaging technology can now show and verify that we human beings are wired to be risk averse.
Meaning we find it much easier to settle with the status quo, keep our mouths closed and our heads down rather than make a change, take a chance, or speak up and engage in what I call a "courageous conversation." When weighing up whether to take an action that could leave us vulnerable to failing or some other form or loss (of reputation, money, social standing, pride etc.), we have an innate tendency to misjudge four core elements in assessing risk. While we are all still young, growing, living and learning,
I want to challenge everyone to take more risks. Look forward to different outcomes in each risk taken and don't be the person in their forties looking back on what life could've been if you had just taken that RISK!
Risk happens to be very relevant and important to my life right now. Last week I met a man in Kroger very naturally. We spoke for a few mins while in line and he invited me to his loft to continue the conversation a few days later. Accepting this invitation was a risk for me because I knew very little about this man . I could have been putting myself in a harmful situation but I went with my gut feeling. The man ended up being very successful worth over 25 million dollars, and serves as a mentor for me now !
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good read. I've always been more conservative but as I get older realize that it's ok to take risk. I too have talk with older generations, those who have taken risks and those who haven't and I for sure want to be one of the ones to say I have lived life!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting topic! If you don't take risks, you won't be rewarded, is a famous phrase that is fairly self explanatory. When making choices in my life I like to take risks to learn from them and overcome my fear of failure. It is essential to never let risk-taking hinder you from anything.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting read. One thing I've definitely taken away from multiple experiences in my life is that without stepping outside of your comfort zone, you will remain complacent. Taking risks are vital to personal development. When you are opposed to taking risks, you stunt your growth.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true and reflects off so many people real lives . I am very risky I am always thinking it outcomes and circumstances for ever action. I never react first and think later it's all the opposite for. This article takes the time out to let us know what taking risk is all about
ReplyDeleteThis blog was extremely interesting. I am a risky person as well and I believe if you want to go into any business you must be a risk taker. Their haven't been many times in life that I looked back and regret anything that I did.
ReplyDeleteRisk is very important to consider in business. Especially if you want to be an entrepreneur but my opinion on risk is that you take it with caution. Study the field throughly to make an educated risk that even if it doesn't go the way you wanted, you would of put your foot forward in the right direction.
ReplyDelete