Some people are daring or impulsive. Others are more practical or conscientious. I am rarely in the daring space and there have been times when I have spent a little too much time in the practical space. Finding a balance between these pair of character traits often leads straight down the path to personal fulfillment and financial gain.
I believe wholeheartedly that if we are comfortable where we are (personally, professionally, and financially) then we become complacent. Complacency is detrimental to our long-term success. We can’t succeed if we don’t try. When we begin to see risk taking as essential to our success and view risk as an opportunity to succeed then we are more likely to learn new things, meet new people, experience new things and elevate our confidence.
Fear of the unknown and fear of failure are major roadblocks on the road to success. Playing it safe all the time limits our growth. Instead of constantly viewing risk-taking negatively, we must face our fears and take more calculated risks. A calculated risk means you have weighed the costs – both the pros and the cons. Research your options and prepare to meet any challenges surface in the contemplation stage. Don’t stay in that space too long – doing nothing is also risky and can have severe ramifications.
Evaluate all the benefits so we can tackle the hard part – kicking fear and inaction to the curb! After you have assessed all the things that could go well, ask yourself these three questions:
- What am I afraid of?
- Is that likely to happen?
- What can I do to recover if that (bad) thing happens?
Once you have your game plan in place it’s time to take action – whether that action is to proceed or halt. Review the results of your action and adjust or change course as necessary.
What opportunity are you evaluating right now?
Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of Packaged For Success, helps both youth and adults discover their personal power, dream big, and achieve success on their own terms. Ms. Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sanders has over fifteen years of direct experience with diverse populations in residential, school-based, and community based agencies.
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