Finding opportunities to take risks isn't that hard. Each and everyday we're faced with choices. Usually, one is always harder or more challenging than the other. Sometimes we avoid situations, but it's inevitable that at some point you're put in a situation where you have to take a risk. Risks are somewhat like jumping off a cliff, only knowing that there's a fifty percent chance your parachute will actually release. It's daring, oftentimes I find myself wondering if it would be worth it. Would risking my life for a good experience be beneficial in the long run? I can take the leap and enjoy it or not take the leap in the fear of failure and regret it for the rest of my life (yes, it's dramatic). Taking the risk may reward you in the end and help you realize what your passion is, but not taking it at all might prevent you from doing what you really want in life. Risk-taking is something that we usually ponder for a while before actually making the decision. Sometimes we hesitate, think of all the things that will go wrong, and choose to stay grounded, but is that what really makes you happy in the long run?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, several of us have been told to try new things. Some take up knitting and others learn a new language. It seems easy, isn't it? Just try something new and something different with the free time you have. Personally, I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone and sacrificing a few things to try something new. For others, this is a challenging task. I took a massive leap by enrolling in a Medical Biotechnology class, but in the end, I found out that it was my passion. If I had chosen a class I already knew about, a class I was comfortable in, a class that was "grounded" such as Persuasive Writing, I would never be the person I am today. I took a risk by choosing a class I didn't know existed, but in the end, I never regretted my decision. It's hard to risk assessment but taking another class wasn't going to have dire consequences. The actual riskiness of it was rather minimal compared to the benefits of that decision.
So, how can you justify "high-risk" decisions, and can you really benefit? For example, a "high-risk" decision could be quitting a corporate job or a stereotypical white-collar job to pursue a passion. This was, and still is popular, especially for younger millennials. A "gig economy" is a labor market that relies on temporary and part-time positions filled by independent contractors/ freelancers rather than full-time permanent employees. Flexibility and independence make it an appealing choice for Gig workers, but there's little or no job security. It begs the question of whether personal happiness and well-being outweigh the stress of lack of financial stability and sustenance. There isn't a universal answer to whether "high-risk" decisions are really worthwhile as it's almost entirely dependent on the individual, their success, dedication, etc.
Even so, "risky" decisions encourage growth, innovation, creativity, adaptability, overcoming fear, building tenacity, becoming a problem-solver, and learning from failure. However, it's not applicable to every decision. Being risk-averse limits your understanding of your potential yet being too much of a risk-taker creates impulsive decisions that are rash. Inevitably, not all risks (especially "high-risk" ones) are worth taking, and both careful consideration and assessment are essential. Weighing potential benefits against potential drawbacks and being prepared to handle different outcomes is a calculated risk. While risks can lead to rewards, only if they're mindful decisions can the benefits be reaped.