All Things Inspired

Taking risks is an inevitable process toward transformational growth!

Taking risks is an inevitable process if you wish to experience transformational growth. Risk is what can propel you from what you are today to what you want to become tomorrow. It can be a terrifying adventure if you are not prepared for the trip. During this two-week topic we'll explore the risk-reward factor, the advantages you may realize in taking risks, understanding risk assessment and management, and provide some guidance on how to improve your ability to take risks.

If you are better prepared to take risks, you won't find yourself halfway through the journey wanting to retreat to more comfortable settings. Let's start with learning the risk-reward factor. Quite simply, this is a measured ratio of potential gain versus potential loss in driving toward your goals or personal growth in general.

Risk factors are the negative detractors and influences that are counter-productive to your progress. These are the things you must avoid, work to overcome, or eliminate. These could include negative attitudes, beliefs, and values about yourself. Risk factors might also be influenced by the environment that you live or work in. Do you attract toxic people into your circle of friends and advisors? Have you experienced a lack of role models through your formative years? Are your relationships positive ones, or is your personal support system lacking or negative in content? These are some of the factors of taking risks that will perhaps keep you from staying the course of what is difficult. However, if you are willing and strong in mind, the other side of risk is reward. The rewards will vary by person, the goals you have set for yourself, and the personal value of the reward you seek. Some rewards you might experience could include improved problem-solving skills, better relationships, both personal and professional. You might see a more positive outlook within yourself through improved self-esteem. You might start seeing greater opportunities in life. You can overcome the negative risk factors and ultimately, you can experience the success you've dreamed of and certainly experience transformational growth.

After looking at the risk-reward factor, you might still be wary of the commitment it takes to forge ahead in the journey. Taking risks can produce very positive outcomes in your life. It can certainly provide numerous advantages for you. Let's start listing some advantages of risk taking. As you review the following points, start formulating in your mind additional advantages that you can realize for yourself.

Building confidence - it comes from a combination of experiences and successes. The more of each you have the more your confidence grows.
Develop resilience - the more adversity you experience along your path in life, the more you begin to trust yourself, your instincts, and your capabilities.
Build your skillset - as you've had to overcome obstacles, you develop new problem-solving skills. You begin to analyze things differently and improve your ability to learn new things.
Overcome your fears - most people, when asked what their greatest fear is, would reply by saying they fear failure. As you take risks and develop in your growth process, you come to a point where fear no longer paralyzes you.
You discover a new world of opportunity - through growth and your ability to be innovative, you begin to create your own opportunities. Opportunities that you might not have imagined you would have.
You have a sense of accomplishment - the more challenges you face and overcome, the greater sense of accomplishment you have.
You live with no regrets - at the end of your life, you want to feel that you made the most of your opportunities. That you took risks and the rewards you gained were far greater in value than the risk you took. Isn't this a better way to live than regretting the chances that you didn't take when it's too late?

Yes, when you take risks, sometimes you will fail. You will learn the consequences involved with each action you take. But remember this, life is all about taking risks. If you never take risks, even though you know you might fail or you might be wildly successful, you'll never know exactly what you are capable of! When you try something new, there is a risk of failure. But when you don't, you have almost certainly ensured that you will fail.

Be bold in your endeavors. Chase your dreams. Accept risks without fear of failure. Seize your opportunities. And live a life of success without regret.

Knowing that you can't just say to yourself "this is risky" and then dive in without contemplating what the risk involves, we'll look at how to assess and evaluate through risk management and then finish the topic with some ideas on how to better develop your ability to take risks.

I'll close this week's article with a challenge for you. Do something new, even if it is ever so small, that you have been afraid to try. Upon completing this challenge, look at yourself and assess how it made you feel. Was it worth the risk of trying something new? Until next week...

Be inspired! Inspire others!