Risk is a word that a lot of people fear. Uncertainty is not something that people generally enjoy. We want to know what we can look forward to, and we would like to make sure that the future is going to be okay.
Unfortunately, to become successful you must take risks. It’s the only way to success. But the key is to take, calculated risks. Don’t be sloppy, do you research. The difference between being a “risk taker” and a “calculated risk taker” could be the difference between success and failure.
If you do not wish to live a life of mediocrity, you have to put yourself out there and be courageous, unshaken after making mistakes. There is no way around it.
So, why is this important?
ONE
Big unforeseen opportunities can come from taking a risk.
We tend to see risk as a bad thing, it’s scary and dangerous. However, on the flip side, while not every risk you take will pay off, some do, and if you’re not willing to take a risk you can guarantee failure.
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk” Mark Zuckerberg
As long as you calculate the risk that you can take, you may be able to find something more valuable if you simply choose to move forward even with doubts in your mind.
TWO
Risk-taking actually makes you stand out from the crowd.
If you are working in the corporate world or at a startup, you will notice that leaders take risks. This demonstrates confidence in their team. Of course, they will be held responsible for their actions if ever something goes wrong. However, this is what leadership is all about after all. Only those who can make the hard decisions are worthy to be named leaders. Not taking a risk means always being safe, and never standing out from the crowd. You will always be just a follower.
THREE
You won’t become successful simply because you wish or pray for it.
You have to grab it and pursue it. Success is not something that anyone waits for, it does not happen to you, you make it happen.
The number of opportunities that will be given to you in this life will come and go and may be limited. You have to acknowledge them and take your chances, otherwise, those opportunities will just pass you by.
Wise people will always tell you that you often regret the things that you did not do, rather than the things that you did. Don’t end up wondering what if, do what you can right now.
FOUR
Taking a risk every now and then will help you get rid of the fear of failure.
Many of us are afraid to fail. While to some extent this may actually be a good thing, it can be quite paralyzing and may lead you to become an overly critical person when analyzing things.
In your lifetime, you will be expected to make decisions. Taking risks, failing and realizing it’s OK and you can try again, will help you overcome the fear of failure.
FIVE
Mistakes are the greatest teacher.
If you don’t take the risk, you won’t make mistakes. However, that also means that you will learn nothing.
The reason why people who don’t make mistakes aren’t successful is that they haven’t learned enough from their experiences. You can only grow mature intellectually and emotionally once you start creating mistakes, and you learn how to handle and move on from these failures.
Risk may be scary, but it is something that will lead you to master your craft.