Some people are natural thrill seekers. They skydive out of airplanes, move to a new city sight unseen, and gobble down chicken wings with triple-suicide hot sauce. Others live with a more cautious approach, weighing pros and cons before making decisions, spending hours researching products before buying, and preferring guarantees and certainty. From super low risk to off-the-charts high risk, everyone falls somewhere on the risk-o-meter, which can change over time. Regardless, your relationship with risk plays a crucial role in managing your career.
High-Risk Takers: Seizing Opportunities
If you’re a higher risk person, you tend to strike while the iron is hot. A new position opens up, and you immediately apply. You seize the moment, pursuing the opportunity even without all the information. You can tolerate question marks and ambiguity, figuring things out along the way, acknowledging that this opportunity may not come again.
Low-Risk Takers: Seeking Certainty
Lower risk individuals, however, ask a million “what if” questions. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I don’t like my new manager? What if I fail? It’s called the comfort zone for a reason, and comfort is a powerful force.
The Challenge of Change and Growth
Change, growth, and evolution can be challenging for all risk types, but for different reasons. High-risk professionals may dive in too quickly without fully evaluating if the opportunity aligns with their career goals. Low-risk professionals might overthink and overanalyze an opportunity until someone else fills the position, leaving them in the same role. Both approaches significantly impact your career trajectory.
Take Control with the ON Point Action Plan
Follow the ON Point Action Plan to ensure your risk-o-meter helps take your career to the next level. Whether you’re a high-risk taker or prefer a cautious approach, understanding and managing your risk tolerance can lead to more strategic career decisions.
7 Steps to Mastering Your Risk-Taking Tendencies
Know Thyself – understand where you naturally fall on the risk-o-meter; diving in the deep end or dipping your toe into the shallow end
Reevaluate – be realistic about changes in life circumstances that may impact your natural risk preference; family, finances, health, etc…
Pump the Breaks – if your tendency is to impulsively say “yes” & jump at every shiny nickel you see, you could benefit from a thoughtful pause
Set a Deadline – if you get overwhelmed & paralyzed when making a decision, then set a decision-making-deadline & create accountability
Be Objective – temper your natural risk tendency, high or low, with facts & information rather than emotions, fear & impulses
Seek Support – surround yourself with people who can help you find the appropriate balance of risk; Goldilocks risk level
Take a Breath – every new opportunity requires a certain amount of risk, leap of faith & confidence to move forward; take a deep breath
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