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.

---

Three Step Problem Solving

How do you like to solve your problems? Do you... Read More

Use Your Intuition As a Valuable Tool for Change

Here's a subject that we don't normally think of when... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

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

Innovation Makes Leaders

Basically what innovation does is making your business unique and... Read More

Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 1 of 2

Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least... Read More

A Time for Rebellion!

When is it right for you to rebel against the... Read More

How to Turn Nothing Into Something

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

Opportunity: Could You Be Colour-blind?

Do you consider your vision perfect? You may never have... Read More

The 99 Percent Rule

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

Business Innovation ? the Value of Being Obvious

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Role Play

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity Management ? Theres Nothing New Under the Sun

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Starving for Intimacy

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

Business Innovation ? Masks and Trance

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

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

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

Color Your Life

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

Life ? The Teacher

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

Why It?s Important to Make Your Idea Real

Say you have an idea for something new and exciting... Read More

Discover the Secret to Success in Your Own Back Yard

Yesterday, I went above and beyond the call of duty... Read More

6 Steps to Super Mindpower

Ever hear "You can't teach an old dog a new... 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

Let the Seeds Grow

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

All Fortunes Begin With an Idea!

A new idea is merely the combination of two or... Read More

How An Idea Can Lift You

What determines your destiny? What predisposes your choices?It is your... Read More

Innovation Management ? Capturing Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Perfectionism - The Dangerous Trap!

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

Business Innovation ? Blocking: Saying YES or NO

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Howd They Do That?

"How'd they do that?" I asked myself time and time... Read More

Accelerate Your Learning

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

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Fast Feedback

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Going Seamless: Dissolving the Brain Divide

Are you a right-brainer or a left-brainer?The greatest thinkers are... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Special People?

People often think that there is a creative type. This... Read More