Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. ~Helen Keller
Throughout our lives, we are faced with many choices that involve taking risks. As a toddler, learning to walk is risky since we will fall many times as we master this new skill. Then we head off to school, putting us out of our comfort zone. And so, on it goes.
As we get older, many of these risks are more challenging because they tend to be life-altering. Maybe it’s making a huge career change, becoming an entrepreneur, moving across the country or even the world, deciding on a life partner or whether to start a family. Anytime we go out on a limb, we are faced with risk.
By its very nature, risk is frightening. We can’t be certain of the outcome and thoughts of, “What if I fail?” tend to dominate our thoughts. Yet if we never take a chance, we may find ourselves living an unfulfilled life.
Remember, great things never came from comfort zones. Here are a few things to consider when making a major life change.
Make a plan. By planning carefully and using basic risk management techniques, we can lessen risk while increasing the odds of our success.
As we get older, many of these risks are more challenging because they tend to be life-altering. Maybe it’s making a huge career change, becoming an entrepreneur, moving across the country or even the world, deciding on a life partner or whether to start a family. Anytime we go out on a limb, we are faced with risk.
By its very nature, risk is frightening. We can’t be certain of the outcome and thoughts of, “What if I fail?” tend to dominate our thoughts. Yet if we never take a chance, we may find ourselves living an unfulfilled life.
Remember, great things never came from comfort zones. Here are a few things to consider when making a major life change.
Make a plan. By planning carefully and using basic risk management techniques, we can lessen risk while increasing the odds of our success.
Take calculated risks. Don’t foolishly jump headlong into things without any forethought. Prepare in advance and jump in with a well-thought out plan in place.
Write it down. What are the possible risks and roadblocks? How can you avoid or overcome them? Determine a Plan B where possible.
Forget past failures. Those learning opportunities have helped you grow and learn. Don’t use them as an excuse but rather a stepping-stone.
What’s the worst-case scenario? Is this based on fear or is it a real possibility? Can you determine a way to minimize this risk? If not, assess whether you can live with this situation should it occur.
Write it down. What are the possible risks and roadblocks? How can you avoid or overcome them? Determine a Plan B where possible.
Forget past failures. Those learning opportunities have helped you grow and learn. Don’t use them as an excuse but rather a stepping-stone.
What’s the worst-case scenario? Is this based on fear or is it a real possibility? Can you determine a way to minimize this risk? If not, assess whether you can live with this situation should it occur.
Set the stage. Are there things you can do in advance to set yourself up for success before taking this leap? Courses you can take? Funding you can acquire? Hands on experience you can gain? Research you can undertake? Others you can talk to who’ve done something similar?
Identify clear objectives. Before ‘setting sail’ on your new endeavor, think through and set well-defined goals. This provides a roadmap to follow and helps keep you focused on your path ahead.
Listen to your gut. Sometimes, no matter the prudence and preparation, our intuition tells us something is not quite right. We should always consider that inner message and try to understand where it’s coming from.
Identify clear objectives. Before ‘setting sail’ on your new endeavor, think through and set well-defined goals. This provides a roadmap to follow and helps keep you focused on your path ahead.
Listen to your gut. Sometimes, no matter the prudence and preparation, our intuition tells us something is not quite right. We should always consider that inner message and try to understand where it’s coming from.
The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks. ~Mark Zuckerberg
Coaching can help develop a process and establish guidelines for managing life's risks or for putting a plan in place for a specific life change. If you're interested in finding out if coaching is right for you, take our coaching assessment or contact Carol to schedule a complimentary coaching session.
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