Risky business: is it worth it?
Life is full of risks. Some people seek them out. Some people try to avoid them at all costs. But, like it or not, risk is an inherent part of life. I mean getting out of bed in the morning involves a certain amount of risk. Of course, staying in bed has risks of its own.
Beyond that are the next-level risks…those that involve taking action outside of your comfort zone. This type of risk taking is essential to growth. It simply is not possible to make progress without some risk.
Why take risks?
Besides being necessary to reach goals, taking risks can also be invigorating and mentally beneficial, even in cases where the short-term results weren’t what we were hoping for. Surviving risks cultivates self-confidence and resilience…a realization that we can handle whatever life throws at us.
How can you increase your risk tolerance?
If you are a natural risk-taker, you’ve got this! But, if like me, you are somewhat risk averse, there are some things you can do to expand your ability to take risks. These particular suggestions are from Creating Your Best Life by Caroline Adams Miller and Michael B. Frisch.
- Interval training for risk tolerance is similar to interval training for the body. The idea is to do something that scares you for brief periods of time, return to a safe zone, then go outside your comfort zone again, gradually adapting to the discomfort of fear.
- Visualize yourself doing the thing that scares you from a third-party perspective. In other words, rather than just imagining yourself taking the risk, picture yourself in as much detail as possible doing the scary thing, as if you were your best friend watching you.
- Identify risks you have already taken and the results you have gotten from them. Reminding yourself of your previous bold actions can inspire you to take new risks.
Risks I have taken
As an example of #3 above, I am going to take the risk of sharing publicly some of the risks I have taken in the past and the results of those risks.
- I filed for divorce after 17 years, ending a marriage that I had been in since age 19, but was no longer healthy for either of us. As a result, I met and built a fulfilling relationship with my current husband. In addition, I gained a wonderful extended family.
- I left a comfortable but unsatisfying job for a new opportunity. As a result, I found a mentor, advanced to senior leadership, and enjoyed a fulfilling career with a company that offered great benefits, including a pension, which allowed me to comfortably retire at age 60.
- I signed up for a marathon when I’d never run a race before. As a result, I trained regularly and reached a healthy level of physical fitness. I gained confidence to try new things, and I learned the value of literally taking one step at a time to reach a big goal.
Your turn
- What is a risk you have taken and the result?
- Are you a natural risk taker or is it a challenge?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
I’m not a risk taker on my own, but with my husband we are a good risk-taking team. Our biggest one was to both quit work when we were in our late 30s. For one year we lived off our savings, travelled around the country [using the frequent flyer + hotel points he had accumulated from the job he left], and decided how we wanted to live our lives going forward. Friend and family thought we were nuts, but it centered us and got us to where we are today.
You bring up another good way to build risk tolerance, Ally, work with a trusted partner! That’s a bold move you and your husband made, quitting your jobs and traveling the country, and it sounds like it paid off. Plus I bet you made some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Hi, Christie – Thank you for sharing some of the risks that you have taken and the wonderful benefits that you received. Motivated by the quote “we have nothing to fear but fear itself” a few years ago I bravely walked into a Hot Yoga class. The whole thought of it scared the heck out of me. And you know, I lived, and even enjoyed it. My fears made Hot Yoga much hotter than it actually was! 😀
Yea for you, Donna! I’m curious if you’ve gone back. Have you made it part of your routine or just glad you tried it?
i did go back many times. i now do yoga online at home.
Excellent. I do online yoga at home as well. Mostly I do Yoga with Adriene, and I love it!
I just finished on online session with my personal trainer. It may not have officially been hot yoga….but I am now very, very hot!
It’s surprising how a low-impact workout like yoga can heat you up.
Hi Christie – my husband says I’m “risk averse” and to some degree I am…..but when the need to step up comes along, I’ll face the risk to grow. I’ve moved from the city to the country when pregnant and with a 2yr old, I’ve changed jobs numerous times, quit the last one, started a new one in my 60’s, and just had my hip replaced. So I think I can do the hard stuff if I have to – I just need to know that the outcome is worth the pain to get there.
My DIL is VERY risk averse and I’ve watched it stunt her opportunities at times – now I cheer her on every time she steps out of her comfort zone – and I can see her start to get braver – so she’s obviously in interval training!
Hello Leanne. I can relate to what you said. I don’t love taking risks, but I can do bold things when necessary. I would definitely say you’ve stepped up in some challenging situations when the possible reward warrants a risk. I’m glad to here your DIL is taking some steps out of her comfort zone. Life certainly gets bigger once you do…says the wise 61-year-old. ?
I know that I have always wanted so called certainty! However, there is no such thing of course. I am much braver/bolder than I used to be, maybe having the experience of all the “have to” things relating to cancer helped.
Great post!
Thank you for linking up for Wednesday’s Words and Pics on my blog. Always good to see and read one of your posts. Hope you return next Wednesday too. Denyse.
Life has a way of teaching us to let go of certainty/control, doesn’t it Denyse? You are indeed a brave woman!
I seldom take risks, but I probably need to. When you said taking risks builds self confidence and resilience I thought, I could use both of those! Did you think the book Living Your Best Life was good in its entirety?
You’ve probably taken more risks than you realize, Cindy, but I can relate to not being a big risk taker. I did like this book. I originally purchased it several years ago–maybe a decade! It’s more or less about figuring out what you want and helping you get it. I have a hard copy you can borrow, if you’re interested.