Risks takers, anyone...

I'm not a natural risk taker, but I have realised in recent years that you can't progress without taking some risks. The key is to manage the risk. In his book "Screw It, Let's Do It", Richard Branson makes a distinction between calculated risks and gambling. A calculated risk is when you've worked out as far as possible what the risks and possible benefits are, and you make sure as much as possible that the odds are in your favour. Even then, it's not wise to bet the farm - in the business that I'm building up at the moment, I have a policy of not risking more than I can afford to lose.

I think this is so. When I was young, I was a risk-taker in some sense, in so far as I was unconventional, outgoing, flamboyant, attention-seeking, friendly, fun, talkative, a born entertainer. I was a natural and highly talented performer, very much at ease in front of audiences, and widely liked. And yet strangely enough, if I felt criticised, or threatened, I'd become spooked and lose confidence: I was not naturally brave or aggressive. Perhaps this is when risk-taking is most important: does a person have the "front" to take risks when outside of their comfort zone? I think this is where I fell down: I was too easily intimidated. So, it could be said I wasn't willing, or able, to take the risks to succeed. That said, I feel I could have succeeded anyway, because I think shy and/or sensitive people can become successful, but they have to work very hard at it. I didn't put in the work, or enough work; maybe I didn't want it enough, success I mean. I regret that now. I have to live with it.

I learned this from Risk Management seminar - "The greatest risk is not to take risks at all." It's not only in business but in our personal lives that we need to take risks, too. Life without taking risks is simply too boring. True, failure may happen, but so too is success. We can't just sit around and wait for things to happen. We have to take risks! So, there is another quote, "To get to other lands, we have to leave the shore."

In one week time i am going to take a risk. Risk is part of an adventure. People who are too scared to take risks usually don't go far in life.

i am a man of risks and never ever feel bad about it and i always wanted and will surely take cool risks to boost me up

I'd rather consider the word risk as challenge rather take it as risk itself. The notion of risks is by far taken with great negativity in life. Hence I always make it a point to change my outlook of risk as a challenge for me. People love challenges and hates risks. So having the mindset of challenge instead of risks help me take them head on. And yes, risks or challenges are important to improve and develop oneself. Anybody who never taken any risk or challenge really hasn't lived at all. Also, hesitation, fear and uncertainty are the greatest pundits why people are risk averse. Always, remember, when you hesitate, the world will hesitate on you. When you fear something, you are limiting your options and thinking. And when you look into uncertainty, you will be a worry freak.

life on a daily basis is a big risk.or adventure depending on how we approach it.walking into the bathroom ,we risk slipping on the wet floor.driving out into the traffic,well we all know what the risk are there.we can play as safe as we want but it is the unknown that to me gives living a bit more of an edge. we can plan all we want,but it doesnt mean we can be total control,that will be so boring or mundane.variables or the unforeseen are always present, having said that,i think the best approach may be to plan a certain path,be it life or business venture but be sure to have contingencies ,in case it goes this way or that. at least there is a challenge and a sense of being ready for come what may. Calculated risk.! why do so many people do extreme sports, skyjumping , base jumping,high speed racing etc.Dangerous are these activities but it is again calculated risks.The dangers are taken into account so is the reward,the sense of "I want to not merely be alive but feel alive". Businessmen who have this approach either do very well or lose it all.but will not be afraid to start all over again.Just a challenge.Playing it safe has benefits but being too overly cautious about everything. well, they "risk" not to have lived at all.

we live, grow up then grow old or not. in between all this is the way we have lived. to most it is about being happy and satisfied and not worry. then to many others it is about making as much as possible when they are alive.life to me is one big gamble. we never know what comes tomorrow so taking risks is to me actually what makes life interesting,when the risks pay off,it is so gratifying.when it fails,well,we move on.as long as we can breathe,we can try another time,as long as the risks we take doesnt do harm to others or damage ourselves,physically or psychologically,no reason why we cannot. of course it has to be within reason.i think life is so boring if we live in a very predictable and mundane life.everything so planned and coordinated. And then we die living like this..HUH..? What was the point of living as a human if we were not able to feel all the god given emotions only us humans can experience?

I am not very much of a risk taker.. I am just scared.. I don't have many dreams in life either.. But for now, all i want to do is graduate with honors.. so far it is possible.. only a year left before that happens.

i m not a risk taker, i am not comfortable in taking any risks in life, i am sorry because few people say only loosers are afraid of risks, but i dont agree, we have only one life and i dont want to spoil it or suffer by such things.

it is their strong determination which cause them to stand in their vision and they act according to that. business has ups and down but successful business man never focus on down.

Hi friend, it is not easy to take risks in our life, but some persons have the ability to take risk using their income and get benefits with it

Yes I am willing to take chances. After all, action beats inaction.

Yes I'm willing to take risk to succeed but like in my case I failed in the business I went into years back, I would like to venture to another new business again but then people around me are not supportive. I know I failed once but this time I will do my best to make it a success but the people around me doesn't have that open mind. I think those risk taker who succeeded had supportive people around that lifts them up and encourages them instead of putting them down.

I think it depend what kind of risk? If you refer into business...well, we can't avoid to go on risk. Because we can't predict the situation in the business world. It might me successful or not. But if you want to be successful you can't avoid to try and take the risk...

Hi stanley, you are just so right. most of those entrpreneurs are willing to take risks to achieve their dream. Perhaps many of us have the same idea that they have, but we are afriad cause we are afraid fo losing money in the even the start-up fail. therefore when you said that most businesmen are willing to take risk, i totally agree wtih you. There are some thigns in life that we jsut have to take a risk. Otherwise, everybody would be successful. Only those with enough guts will be successful!

Yes I am...still its this feeling of failure. Mainly because I'm not there yet ..and by the time I will be there I will definitely be much older . stanley777 I'm sure you may not recognize me however I was your friend here years ago.

I am not a risk taker, I don't dwell into something I don't really understand. When a challenge is presented I try my best to arm myself with education. It's not that I am scared of risk. Jumping into a risk without understanding the situation is just like a fool jumping into a fire hoping it will extinguish itself. It is not all about taking risk, it's about assessing the risk that makes the difference between a winner and a loser. Cheers!

Hello stanley, for one to move further in life..they need to move away from their comfort zone or current position.. and about the risk taking.. most successful people will go through a lot before they reach their state right now..a lot of effort and time they gave to achieve the impossible.. that is why the saying never give up existed.. when there is risk..the only option is to success or fall.. one who strive for success are willing to take risk to get to the target.. one who doesn't, will stay the same with no improvement. the example in real life is in investing.. the investment with more risk will give you more gain, right.. enough said.. Thank you..:)

Absolutely yes! I have started to put up an online shop recently, it started very well, and at the moment it's not that good. But it's part of the risk. It is a small stage that I have to developed and improved to gain more sales, very challenging, but worth taking the risk!