12 Tips for Taking Smart, Calculated Risks

Most of us know we should take more risks. But the "no-guarantee" component of risk-taking makes it a scary proposition in many instances.

Try these 12 smart and simple ideas to identify the risks worth pursuing -- and the ones worth letting pass by.

1. Think of someone you admire. Would they take this risk?

2. Never risk more than you can afford to lose.

3. If you have everything to gain and nothing to lose, take the risk.

4. Risk taking is like any positive quality -- it's a habit that gets better with practice. Learn from the risks with "bad' outcomes, and increase your confidence from reflecting on the ones with good outcomes.

5. Timing is vital to good risk taking. No matter how much you deserve a raise, for example, your chance of getting it will go down if you discuss it with your boss when he or she is in a bad mood.

And don't take the risk if:

1. There's a good chance you could lose EVERYTHING.

2. You're risking a lot just to get a little.

3. You are not comfortable with the odds that the outcome will be positive.

4. There are too many factors outside of your influence.

5. There is no way to fix or remedy the situation if the outcome is not positive.

6. You have to jump into it before you've had the chance to evaluate it & prepare.

7. Your intuition tells you not to (remember: fear & intuition are not the same!).

Shari Peace is an international speaker, an author, and the president of Peace Talks, a professional speaking firm that helps organizations and people to get more done. Her book, Crank It Out! How to Get More Done ? At Work & In Your Life, features tips for smart time management and improved productivity. Reach her at http://www.sharipeace.com.

The Hidden Superpowers Of Your Mind

The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic... Read More

Color Your Life

Have you ever arrived at place in your career and... Read More

Starving for Intimacy

Some are seeking love in a bottle. Others look for... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

We read in the press about the "War on Drugs"... Read More

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Set Yourself Up For Success!... Read More

I Just Want to be Free - I Just Want to be Me!

It was a sunny Saturday in April 2003 in Myrtle... Read More

Imagination

Imagination is the unreal, real state of mind, where all... Read More

Accelerate Your Learning

Although you may not currently be a student, learning is... Read More

Business Ideas ? Need a New Idea? Try Changing Your Perspective

One definition of creativity states that creative people look at... Read More

Befriend Your Budget, This Yuletide and Always

It is that time of year again. Yuletide?Christmas in the... Read More

Can We Change People?

There was a class of "challenged" children and many teachers... Read More

Let the Seeds Grow

The thought that every great thing that has ever happened,... Read More

How to Turn Nothing Into Something

Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Weekend Seminar-Excelling in the New... Read More

Creating Opportunity

An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile... Read More

Perfectionism - The Dangerous Trap!

Just when I have something figured out, along comes another... Read More

The 99 Percent Rule

It's Friday night, you're sitting at a restaurant, and as... Read More

Harness the Power of Skill Sets and Mindsets

When you have a problem, sometimes you need a new... Read More

Life ? The Teacher

You've probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of... Read More

Improve Your Small Talk - Gain Big Dividends!

Do you hate to make small talk? If so, you... Read More

Seeking Initiative and Innovation? Reward Failure!

Based on Proprietary Research"If you want to increase initiative and... Read More

Is Mans Next Step Like A Can of Potted Meat?

Is it the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? For... Read More

What Dreams Will Come!

As the pioneers of aviation took to the air (not... Read More

What is NLP?

NLP Explained.....NLP is the study of how people organise their... Read More

Become an Idea Collector

Have you ever gotten a really great idea ? one... Read More

Putting Your Ideas Into Action

Ideas are everywhere. Some are small and seemingly insignificant. Others... Read More