Making Risky Choices
Risk is a defining element throughout the career redesign process. In our daily lives risk taking is not an abstract concept. It's what keeps us up at night. It does however influence the specific choices we make.
An excellent reference “Becoming a Life Change Artist, 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life” uses the following categories of risk to help assess our choices.
Risk taking means acting without certainty of outcome. When taking risks, we:
The conclusion…”the risks of life changes are inescapable, but they are worth it. When we embrace the uncertainties that surround life choices, and take action despite those uncertainties, we will be rewarded with a life that is truly ours.”
Where are you at with these considerations in your career redesign?
An excellent reference “Becoming a Life Change Artist, 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life” uses the following categories of risk to help assess our choices.
Risk taking means acting without certainty of outcome. When taking risks, we:
- Believe in the importance of moving in a different direction, even when the path is unclear.
- Decide to do what seems right for us, despite negative consequences.
- Manage the emotions of eg fear and anxiety that could interfere with taking action.
- Take action even when others doubt us.
- Convert mistakes into opportunities to learn.
The conclusion…”the risks of life changes are inescapable, but they are worth it. When we embrace the uncertainties that surround life choices, and take action despite those uncertainties, we will be rewarded with a life that is truly ours.”
Where are you at with these considerations in your career redesign?
- Financial Risk – will I have enough money?
- Competence Risk- can I develop the skills and perform the tasks required by my new direction? What happens if I fail?
- Social Risk – what will others think?
- Identity risk- will I be able to adopt a new identity with which I feel secure and which fits?
- Relational Risk- will my family, friends and significant others give me permission to make the changes I seek? Will I give myself the permission to make the changes I seek?
- Opportunity Lost- what if I never take this path, what happens then?
