Ponderings (April 2007) - “RISK'

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary …

Risk is is “the possibility of loss or injury; someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard; to expose to hazard or danger”

Sharing my thoughts …

Are you a risk-taker?  I never used to consider myself one.  And yet, leaving a secure position, doing a job that I loved, to explore something new was a risk.  Taking this risk resulted in a needed break from years of working to spend an awesome summer with my 7 year old son and to find the space and quiet to create TeamWorx.  So I suppose that was a risk, though it seemed more of a risk for me to stay in my comfort zone and not follow my hearts desire.  I like the sense of accomplishment that comes from taking a risk; stepping out of my comfort zone.  Even if the risk I take fails, the failure always teaches me something valuable.  Can we ever truly discover who we are and what we’re made of if we stay in our comfort zone and avoid risks?   I don’t think so.  What do you think?

Questions to ponder …

1. How do you deal with risks?
2. What drives you to take a risk?
3. What keeps you from taking risks?
4. What risk have you been avoiding?
5. What risks are you currently facing?
6. What is your paradigm regarding taking risks?
7. What was the end result of a recent risk that you took?
8. How do you feel after facing a challenge and taking a risk?
9. What have you done this month to step outside of your comfort zone?
10. What can you do in the coming months to step outside of your comfort zone?

Related quotes …

There are risks and costs to a program of action.  But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.  [John F. Kennedy]

Take calculated risks.  That is quite different from being rash.  [George S. Patton]

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't think you can measure life in terms of years.  I think longevity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with happiness.  I mean happiness comes from facing challenges and going out on a limb and taking risks.  If you're not willing to take a risk for something you really care about, you might as well be dead.  [Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure]

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.  [Dalai Lama]

Risk!  Risk anything!  Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices.  Do the hardest thing on earth for you.  Act for yourself.  Face the truth.  [Katherine Mansfield]