Positive risk

2/2/2024

‘Do one thing every day that scares you.’ (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Risk is uncertainty. It could, after all, fail, crash or burn. If you struggle with out-of-control or with anxiety about what might happen if you were to do X, the ‘What ifs’ are likely to drown out any radical voice that may call you forward. A close friend confessed that, having now retired, he never fulfilled any of the dreams he had in his youth. ‘I was always afraid to take the risk’, he said. I replied that I was always more afraid that I might not take the risk. The thought of playing it too safe scared me.

There are risks to not taking a risk. Think: opportunities missed, talent wasted or potential unfulfilled. To take a positive risk is not about being unethical or reckless, although our actions may sometimes appear strange to those looking in from the outside. ‘Look before you leap’ is the received wisdom, where a leap of faith can look dangerous or naïve. ‘What if it doesn’t work out as you expect?’ At times, the only certainties we can hold onto are our faith or conviction that the risk is worthwhile.

When have you taken a step that felt scary at the time yet yielded a positive result?
What would you most love to do now if you could find the courage or faith to do it?
Who or what would you need to help you take that step, a daring risk-adventure?

20 Comments

Funmi Johnson

3/2/2024 11:49:23 am

Hmmmm. A scary thought that I could get to the end of my life and be beset with regret about the risks I didn’t take.

Nick Wright

3/2/2024 02:13:41 pm

Hi Funmi. Yes, indeed. I remember, when I was a child, my Nanna saying that she had always wanted to ride a horse, and that she had always intended to do it "one day". Yet, she never did it. And now she was in hospital and would never have opportunity to do it. She died 8 days later.

On this theme, this short related piece may resonate too? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/seize-the-day

Allan Jenkins

3/2/2024 02:17:42 pm

Hi Nick/Funmi. That's like Tom Cruise in Knight & Day where he says, "Someday. That's a dangerous word. It's really just a code for 'never'." Very scary!

3/2/2024 02:23:27 pm

Hi Allan. I love that line in Knight & Day. It's so true. (Great film!!)

3/2/2024 03:28:36 pm

Nick: so sad that your Nana didn’t get to ride a horse. Thank you for the other piece as well. We often don’t see how our lives could inspire other people. We also don’t know how others might receive our message. I am in awe of how graciously you respond in both instances. Blessings.

3/2/2024 03:31:16 pm

Hi Funmi. I’m inspired by your writings and by your graciousness too. 🙏

Deb Hall

3/2/2024 02:24:40 pm

Hey Nick. Positive risk. Neat idea. Risk sounds negative. Something to avoid. Love the idea of choosing to take a positive risk for a positive outcome. Keep writing!

3/2/2024 02:35:57 pm

Thanks for your encouragement, Deb! Yes, I guess the notion of positive risk shifts the emphasis in 'risk' from potential threat to potential opportunity.

Samantha Bolden

3/2/2024 02:26:53 pm

You're a Christian Nick, right? Does that make it easier for you to take life risks because you believe in God. I don't take risks because I'm afraid to fall flat on my face. I wish I was braver.

3/2/2024 02:44:09 pm

Hi Samantha. That's an interesting question and thank you for modelling courageous honesty in your response. Yes, I do believe that I find some life risks easier than otherwise to take as a consequence of my faith, if I have a sense of conviction that the step I'm about to take is inspired by God.

That said, these words from the Bible are also a helpful reality check for me. 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path' (Psalm 119:105). In my experience, God reveals one step at a time to me, not the whole game-plan in advance. This makes each step a genuine step in faith.

Hannah Richards

3/2/2024 05:31:20 pm

Hi Nick. I like your questions at the end. I once got a tattoo done on my arm. I was scared of needles but it didn’t hurt that much!

3/2/2024 05:32:45 pm

Hi Hannah. That sounds brave to me! I once considered getting a tattoo on my shoulder and was relieved when my friends talked me out of it. 😅

Eric Holden

3/2/2024 06:08:55 pm

Hey Nick. Like your blog. I keep pushing myself to do scary things so stop myself getting stuck in a rut. I try to put my hand up first when people ask for volunteers. Like Jim Carey in Yes Man movie. It’s the best way to live. I meet new people and have new experiences. Thanks for the blog.

3/2/2024 11:12:23 pm

Hi Eric. Yes, that does sound like a good way to live. And ‘Yes Man’ is a great film! 😃

Måns Näsman

10/2/2024 09:03:33 am

Risk! Eliminate risk! If you risk not to sell your product, create a Sales Team of Sales Professionals (join a sales community). That will give you sales, that will give you money, and you can pay your employees, and you can go on vacation. If you risk making the wrong decisions because you are alone with your thoughts, then get a coach, and get a nudger (someone who can give good advise) (join a coaching community). If you risk someone is trying to outcast you from society, what to do? We are developing an AI that will help protect you. "Do one thins that eliminates risk, every day"

10/2/2024 09:09:36 am

Hi Måns. Thanks for sharing such interesting insights and ideas. They certainly make good sense in situations in which 'negative' risks can be managed. 'If you risk someone is trying to outcast you from society, what to do?' That sounds profoundly challenging.

You reminded me of Bill Crooks in the NGO disaster management field: ‘If you can remove the hazard, do it. If you can’t do that, do what you can to minimise the impact of the hazard. If you can’t do that, prepare for recovery in the aftermath.’ (Bill Crooks)

(In case of further interest: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/preparedness)

10/2/2024 09:36:42 pm

Thank you Nick. I liked your blog. You have a lot of experience. I like that you care about matters. And that you take the risk to have a blog, also open for comments. It's a validation of you as a Coach.

10/2/2024 09:38:48 pm

Hi Måns. Thanks for your kind feedback and warm words of encouragement. Much appreciated!

Jesse Barnett

11/2/2024 12:09:03 am

Nick, I wrestled with this about 10 days ago. I had the opportunity to reach out to a contact that could possibly open a big door of opportunity for me, but it felt risky. I thought about it, prayed about it, and considered how I'd feel if I didn't take the risk.

I came to the conclusion that the risk was worth it and I jumped.

Yesterday, I had a great call with that contact that went in a totally different direction than I anticipated, but even better.

The lesson: you'll never grow and get better unless you are willing to risk. I'd rather fall every so often than end up with a pile of regrets.

Thanks for the thoughtful prompt!

11/2/2024 09:17:50 am

Hi Jesse and thank you for sharing such a great example of taking a positive risk and experiencing the positive outcomes that emerged.

I found your action very encouraging. I resonate with how you prayed about it, considered how you'd feel if you didn't take the risk and chose a stance to take the risk - rather than not take the risk and then end up regretting it afterwards.

When I read your comment, 'I came to the conclusion that the risk was worth it and I jumped', an similar experience with my daughter came to mind which I share briefly here (in case of interest): https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/existential-coaching

Positive risk

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