We face risk in almost every daily decision we make. Unfortunately, this is why many people are stuck in neutral in their lives—they are risk-averse.
How do you define risk? It is evaluating a new opportunity in light of standing steadfastly on previous ground. Risk is taking a leap into the unknown when you can safely stay where all the factors are known and familiar. What must a person give up to gain anew?
What most people do not realize, though, is that risk is really a gift. It is an opportunity to rise to a new level, to have and demonstrate courage, to sharpen our decision-making skills, to explore new vistas with eyes open, to gain self-confidence when we have chosen well, to force ourselves to confront limiting beliefs, and to discover and acknowledge our true capabilities. In other words, risk is an exceptional tool of spiritual growth.
Yes, risk can be scary, but it can also be a doorway to vast new personal and financial blessings. Accepting the right risks can mean new fortune, new love, new freedom, new expression, new joy, and more.
On the other hand there is a risk in not taking the risk. If you never say yes to taking your future in your own hands because you fear not having a paycheck, what might you lose? If you don’t ask her to marry you because you fear commitment or constraint, what then happens when she accepts another proposal?
So how do we know which risks to take and which to forego?
1. When the Calculated Risk Adds Up: You have thoroughly evaluated the upside and downside versus what you would be sacrificing or changing. If your potential upside outweighs all else, take the risk.
2. When The Only Thing Holding You Back is Fear: If the opportunity has great promise and you’re waffling because of “what if ... ” and you’re envisioning all the scary reasons that things could go wrong, then turn it around and ask: “What if I didn’t have any fear about this, would I do it?” Once you eliminate all the “made-up” scenarios, look at the reality, and if the opportunity is still strong, then do it! Fear should not be the reason holding you back from advancing.
3. When You Have the Capital to Invest: If you have enough to invest safely—whether that is your time, money, expertise, or emotional capacity—then why not? Leverage what you have for something potentially greater.
4. When It’s Time to Burn the Ships: If you have refused to move forward because it’s safe where you are or you always want to have an “out,” it’s time to burn the ships. Without risk, there is no reward. Life can be very debilitating when you’re in a rut. Take the risk and get out of the rut.
5. When Where You’re Going Could Be Better Than Where You’ve Been: Sometimes you just have to take a risk because it can’t get any worse than where you are. Risk in this case represents movement and progress because you’re not really making a sacrifice. You can only go up from here.
6. When Your Intuition, Instinct, or Internal Voice Urges You Onward: Ah! A very important reason to say yes to the risk. Your divine connection is telling you there is a purpose for your soul in moving forward. Listencarefully in your quiet state, and hear what messages you are being given. Contrarily, if your inner voice tells you not to advance, do not ignore it. Wait till the next opportunity comes along.
7. When It Feels Right: There is a telltale sign that often indicates when you are on the right path. It simply “feels” right. You have a sense of expansion and openness. Project yourself ahead into the opportunity and see how you feel—is it expansive or is it constrictive? This should help guide your decision as to whether to take the risk.
