In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
When you look back on your life, which do you regret more: the chances you took or the opportunities you missed? How will you feel about your choices today 20 years from now? Growing up, my parents taught me a valuable lesson. I can still hear my dad saying, “Don’t let fear hold you back from the things you really want to do in life.” As a naturally shy kid, those words helped shape my life for the better. I have always held that sentiment close to my heart, and have had some great life experiences as a direct result.
In today’s workplace, it can be scary to take risks, especially when keeping your head down and going with the flow seems much easier. Humans are naturally risk averse and weary of putting themselves out there. There’s a time to go with the status quo, but innovation doesn’t happen when everyone is content with it. If no one took risks, we wouldn’t have built rocket ships, iPhones or the Internet. Let’s break down what taking risks looks like, and how you can apply this knowledge to your job and life.
Take risks. If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.
It’s not as scary as you think.
In his book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman explains that, when assessing a risk, people tend to focus more on the potential negative outcomes rather than the positive, making the probability of a positive outcome seem less likely. Our misjudging the odds often leads to avoiding risks because they seem scarier than they actually are. That’s good news for us though, right? If we put ourselves out there, the outcomes will probably be more positive than the scenarios we come up with in our heads. Think positively about the outcome and set the intention; it will help you achieve success.
Try this: Decide to take a small new risk each day. It could be as simple as trying a new type of food or a new style of clothing. Experiencing positive results from taking small risks will help you become more comfortable with putting yourself out there and trying new things. Courage begets courage, and the more comfortable you become with taking risks, the easier it will be to take a bigger risk down the road.
When we stop taking risks, we stop living life.
The cost of inaction is high.
In a blog post, marketing guru Seth Godin asks, How many experiences are you missing out on because the (very unlikely) downsides are too frightening to contemplate? With great risk can come great reward. At work, taking on more responsibilities or learning a new skill will make you a more valuable team member, and could eventually lead to a promotion. Most people dream, but fail to act. Risk avoidance can prevent you from having success, both personally and professionally.
Try this: When making a decision on whether or not to take a risk, weigh the pros and cons of action vs. inaction. Think about yourself 20 or 50 years from now, looking back on your life. How do you want to feel about this decision when you look back? Sometimes broadening our perspective can help shed a different light on the current situation.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Too often we think that we have to be 100 percent in, when, in reality, we can approach a risk with baby steps. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, Risk/Reward author Anne Kreamer suggests taking small steps to test the water before taking a big risk. For example, an amateur cook with a killer recipe can approach a local restaurant to test it out before taking the plunge and opening a restaurant. Or someone who dreams of being a lawyer can become a paralegal to test drive the position before committing to pursuing an expensive law degree. Sometimes our goals are realistic; other times they are simply a fantasy. Taking smaller steps before taking a big risk is a great way to test the outcomes and gain perspective.
Try this: Identify a big goal you’d like to accomplish or revisit a dream you had as a kid. What baby steps can you take to start working in that direction without putting everything on the line? Start by taking small risks, and let the success of these initial actions determine whether you decide to take the bigger risk.
Risk. Is it in you?
What risks can you take today to achieve success in your life? I’d like to encourage you to take a few moments today to think about your dreams and aspirations, and what steps you can take to feel more successful in your life. Take risks, think outside the box and go for your dreams, and when you look back on your life, you will look back on your life with few regrets.
If you’re interested in working for an innovative team that encourages you to push the status quo, Regenerative Medicine Solutions might be the perfect place for you! Check out our employment page for current opportunities.
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