Why Take a Risk?

Risk. For some, the word alone elicits heart palpitations and visions of scary maneuvers. Why risk—why bother? It would certainly be easier to maintain the status quo in our lives, both personally and professionally. We would get some satisfaction from our lives and have nothing to lose. Yet, by playing it safe, are we really coming out ahead? That’s because the flip side of risk is a higher level of performance, more confidence, and ultimately greater success.

In addition, there is much more, well, risk to life if we don’t take risks. In his online article, “The 40-30-30 rule: Why Risk is Worth It,” Michael Schwalbe cites studies from Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert, who learned that people end up regretting things they don’t do much more than the things they do. Additionally, Gilbert learned that people handle failure better than they anticipate they will.

“Indeed, to improve at anything, we must at some point push ourselves outside our comfort zone. Body builders call it the ‘pain period,'” Schwalbe writes: “Only by trying something new, struggling, learning, and then trying again do we improve our performance.”

Well, sure, there are benefits to taking that leap. But don’t the dangers outweigh the advantages? Not if one is prepared, argues Bill Buxton in “Why Risk is Important.” As an experienced ice climber, Buxton ensures that he is well prepared for every climb, by considering four crucial factors: training, tools, fitness, and partners. And with a little creative imagination, one could apply those factors to any risky situation, mitigate the dangers, and reap the rewards.

I know, because I took a major risk last year.

In 2011, I decided to challenge myself and go on a gorgeening adventure, where I traveled down a gorge from top to bottom. I decided to do this because I wanted to push myself in a way I hadn’t before. The adventure started when we rappelled down a cliff onto a rock in the middle of a raging waterfall, the first of many. We shimmied on logs over waterfalls and swam across rapids. Halfway through, I wondered why I decided to do this. I was afraid of getting hurt, and I was exhausted. When I got to the 10-foot cliff, I hesitated before finally jumping off the top into the rapids. While this was one of the most exhausting and risky experiences I have ever had, I felt exhilarated at the end. I appreciated my courage and the strength I didn’t think I had. Taking this risk gave me the chance to experience not only my strength, but also the absolute beauty of the gorge, from a perspective few would get to see.

This risk reminded me of starting up my instructional design business years before. I left the security of working for an employer to rappel into the raging rapids of starting my own business. It was exhilarating, exhausting, and scary. Finally, I could choose which projects I wanted, those for which I had a passion. Yet, I couldn’t predict the next project or paycheck. Though I took the plunge, I appreciated the guides who supported me—from coaches to marketing and finance experts and instructional designers to documentation specialists. And the people who still hold the end of my rope today help my business be much more than what I alone could achieve. My success with clients has helped me “enjoy the view” along my journey.

What are you afraid of that is holding you back? What are the risks you might take that could pay off in a big way? How can risk guide you in your business decisions and in your training designs?