Smart risk-taking involves courage, commitment, and a willingness to leap toward what you want most. It’s about embracing unknown territory and forging meaningful connections that elevate not only your life but also the lives of others.
THE POWER OF TAKING RISKS
Living Richly is about more than comfort; it’s about impact. Your insights, actions, and courage to take risks can spark change in ways you may not even imagine. But how often do we hold ourselves back, fearing failure, rejection or judgment? The truth is, stepping outside of your comfort zone isn’t just an option; it’s a requirement for growth. Taking risks isn’t about recklessness; it’s about calculated, intentional actions. But first, let’s see where you stand when it comes to creating impact.
QUIZ: ARE YOU HAVING THE IMPACT YOU WANT?
1. At work, you have an idea to solve a problem your team is stuck on. You…
a. Offer the idea to the team.
b. Stay silent, assuming your co-workers won’t take you seriously.
c. Wait for the “perfect time” to speak up, which never comes.
2. At a Parent/Teacher night, the principal asks for suggestions. You…
a. Share an idea to raise funds for athletic equipment.
b. Let others speak while you keep quiet.
c. Want to contribute but doubt your ability to make a difference, so you stay silent.
3. You’re frustrated about the upcoming election. You…
a. Volunteer for the campaign of the candidate you endorse.
b. Complain about the candidates but take no action.
c. Feel too busy to help, even though you want to get involved.
4. Your son seems distant and depressed. You…
a. Sit down with him, express your concern, and offer your support.
b. Assume he’s just moody and wouldn’t accept your help anyway.
c. Worry but feel unsure about how to approach him, so you do nothing.
Results:
Mostly A’s: You take action and are likely to have a positive impact on those around you.
Mostly B’s: You may feel disengaged or hesitant to take action, which limits your influence.
Mostly C’s: You’re conflicted about how to step up and create meaningful change.
What patterns do you notice in your answers? If you’re not making the impact you’d like, know this: You can. Your unwillingness to act and face potential discomfort may be holding you back.
THE COURAGE TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Our greatest loss comes from holding back ideas or actions out of fear of judgment. Every time you suppress your voice, you deny yourself the opportunity to grow and evolve.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECKLESS AND CALCULATED RISKS
Taking risks doesn’t mean acting without thought—it’s about making informed, purposeful decisions that challenge your limits while focusing on your goals.
Let’s break it down:
RECKLESS RISKS
Quitting your job impulsively without a backup plan.
Investing money you can’t afford to lose in a high-risk venture.
Saying yes to opportunities that don’t align with your values or goals.
CALCULATED RISKS
Leaving a job after securing another opportunity or creating a financial safety net.
Doing your own research and consulting experts before making a major investment.
Stepping up to lead a project at work, even if it scares you, because it aligns with your long-term career vision.
WHY CALCULATED RISKS MATTER
Every great achievement starts with someone daring to take a risk. It’s about looking fear in the face and stepping forward anyway. You might fail, but even failure teaches you valuable lessons. Taking calculated risks can strengthen resilience and broaden your capacity to Live Richly.
Living Richly Practice
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Don’t hold back when you know the answer to a problem or have an idea that could make a difference. Mad Mind-Chatter may try to convince you that you’ll look foolish, but that’s fear talking. Ignore it.
Living Richly is about using your unique talents to impact the lives of others.
THE POWER OF STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Imagine this: You’re in a room you know well, but the lights are off. Suddenly, the familiar becomes disorienting. You take a deep breath, blink your eyes in the darkness, and rely on memory, logic, and intuition to navigate. Each careful step gets you closer to the door, the exit, and the opportunity waiting beyond it.
This is what it feels like to take a smart risk. The path is uncertain, but you move forward with calculated steps and trust in your abilities. Life often calls on us to navigate unfamiliar territory, to risk failure or rejection for the sake of something greater. The key is discernment. How do you determine which risks are worth taking? That’s where the concept of a smart risk comes in.
SMART RISKS: A METHOD FOR DECISION-MAKING
To decide if a risk is worth taking, follow these four steps:
1. Analyze the Pluses and Minuses. Draw a line down the middle of a page. Write the potential benefits on one side and the potential downsides on the other. Which list is longer?
2. Assess the Timing. Consider where you are in your life and whether this is the right moment for this particular leap. Ask yourself: Are you just starting out (single, early in your career, or exploring possibilities)? Are you in the established phase (raising children, climbing the corporate ladder, or juggling multiple responsibilities)? Are you in your second or third act (adjusting to an empty nest, caregiving, or focusing on legacy and purpose)? Timing is crucial. Even a great opportunity may not align with your current stage of life.
3. Align with Core Values. Ask yourself: Will achieving this goal honor my core values or create conflict? Living Richly means staying true to who you are.
4. Trust Your Gut. What is your intuition telling you? Sometimes, your gut provides clarity that logic alone cannot. If you feel an undeniable pull toward something, that’s worth listening to.
When your analysis, timing, values, and intuition align, that’s what I call a “best bet.” If the timing feels off, it might be a “not now.” And if something conflicts with your values or doesn’t sit right, it’s a “no go.”
