Will 2022 be your year for risk-taking?

​It is easy to understand that to find excitement, happiness, and fullness in life; you must step out of your comfort zone from time to time. The world is full of beautiful experiences, but you must try them to know if you will like them. A study put out by Portafina determined that around 50% of the adults in the U.K. are willing to take a calculated risk. Some risks we take with little thought. Some examples are:
 
●      Speaking our minds without the worry of it hurting someone’s feelings.
●      Making a purchase without considering our bank balance.
●      Driving our automobile when the gauge is close to empty.
●      Making a decision on a gut feeling.
 
While these are not extreme, they are risky behaviours that can cause stress in our lives. However, in the right situation with clear thought and understanding of what there is to gain and what there is to lose, taking a risk is not a bad thing. Sometimes it is a very good thing. Sometimes it allows you to win.

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadi

Risks and rewards

Fun

​Some risks are just for fun. You look at everything, decide what you are willing to risk, and go for it. This is like the risk you take when you play the lottery. You look at the various lotteries available to you. You look at the probability of winning the lottery. When you find one that you think is an acceptable risk, you place your bet. Your risk is the small investment you pay to play. The reward is the fun and excitement you have. The ultimate reward is the prize you may win!

Photo credit: Gustavo Fring

Romance

Perhaps your friend knows someone they want you to meet. Maybe you have spoken on the phone, exchanged texts, or even face time. Now they want to meet for dinner. This is a risk. It is easy to impress someone from a distance, but sitting across from them at a restaurant is a whole different matter. You normally would not do this. This is the kind of calculated risk that can bring rewards. You could meet a good friend, and maybe it could develop into something deeper. The risk is one evening that could be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and even cringeworthy.
 
Stepping it up a bit, let’s say you have met someone on social media. You have talked for a few months. They live a good distance from you, and they claim to have deep feelings for you. You feel you know them well. They have told you all about where they live and work. They have shared their hopes, and dreams and now they want you to come and spend the weekend. It is agreed that you will have your own bedroom and nothing will happen between you unless you both agree. This is an UNACCEPTABLE RISK. It is too easy to fake social media. You honestly have no way of knowing who you are talking to. Traveling to meet a stranger and going to their address alone is dangerous. Never meet someone from social media in a private area. If you want to meet them, meet them in a public place, and do not go alone. Let people know where you are going, and who you will be with. Do not give them your address. Use extreme caution.  

Business

​Do you want to step out and work for yourself? Have you got talents that are already polished and ready to use? Do you have a little money put up to tide you over while you are getting your clients lined up? What is holding you back?
 
Dorothy worked for a veterinarian for years grooming dogs. She was well trained and loved her work. People loved Dorothy because she took good care of their dogs. She had accumulated all the tools she needed to begin her own grooming service. She bought a van so she could take her services to the clients and groom dogs at their homes. But she was afraid to resign from her job. She was afraid to give up her salary. Then the place she worked had to cut back. Dorothy was laid off. Only then did she start handing out business cards. Within three months, Dorothy was making twice what she was making at her job and working for herself. She was able to schedule her appointments around her children's school hours. Her risk was an immediate reward.

Photo credit: Moose Photo

Being brave enough to take a risk can bring success, wealth, fun, and happiness. But, you must use wisdom and common sense. It is fine to take a chance on a long shot. Hey, sometimes people hit the jackpot! It is fine to take it slow and steady. The point is, if you never take a chance, you will never know what you can do. 2022 is here. This could be your year to be wonderful. There will never be another today. So, what are you willing to risk? What reward are you looking to reap?

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