14 Risks Everyone Should Take In Life

Risks are a part of all our lives. Some you take, some you don’t. Actually, any decision you make has an element of risk. 

Nothing comes with a full warranty. Whenever you attempt to do anything, failure is a possibility. 

However, there are certain risks worth taking that can contribute significantly to your happiness. 

So, here are some risks you should definitely take in life! 

1 – Pursuing Your Dreams 

Sure, many people have followed their dreams with passion, only to experience complete failure. 

What’s even more tragic, however, is that most people never risk really pursuing their dreams. 

Everyone should make a serious attempt to realize their dreams at least once in life. 

After all, you don’t want to find yourself sitting somewhere, old and decrepit, and have to ask yourself, “What if I had done it? What kind of life could I have had?” 

2 – Risk Rejection 

The reason we get rejected usually has much more to do with the person who turned us down than with us. 

Regardless of what’s at stake – whether you ask someone out on a date or just want a bit of advice – there will be some people that just won’t comply with your wishes. 

The fear of rejection is what keeps many people from asking for what they want. 

It often seems better not to ask at all than risk a “no”. Yet, if you don’t even ask, how can you expect to get a “yes”. 

3 – Experiencing Something New 

When you learn or try something new, there’s always an element of risk. Skiing, sky-diving – even learning how to skate – can be pretty intimidating. 

There is a real chance you can injure yourself. But you feel so great when you conquer your fears! It’s the same when you risk a big change in your life. 

Quitting your job and moving abroad or pursuing a new career takes some guts. 

But if that really appeals to you, you just have to risk it – or risk remaining unsatisfied with your life! 

4 – Risk Missing Out On Something 

People don’t like missing out on fun events or pleasant pastimes. Sitting in your favorite bar and chatting with friends every night or going on that vacation holiday can be very tempting. 

Devoting ourselves to our health, work, and success makes it seems like we might be missing out. “Business before pleasure” can be uninspiring. 

But think about it for a moment how many parties, concerts and beach holidays have really made a difference in your life? What could you achieve if you were willing to “miss out” on something, now and then? 

5 – Risk Saying “I Love You” 

First Being the first to say “I love you” to someone can frighten the bravest of us. 

It’s because it makes you extremely vulnerable emotionally. And, if your partner doesn’t say, “I love you too”, you will feel what seems like the ultimate rejection. 

Yet, that person COULD say those words you want to hear! If you feel that way, he or she very likely does as well – but they just may be more afraid of saying it than you are. 

And if they don’t respond as you hope, at least you know where you stand and can reevaluate your relationship. 

6 – Expressing Your Opinion 

Everyone has their own opinion on just about anything. Expressing your own point of view might seem risky. 

You don’t know how it will be received you might really upset someone you might even find out that your opinion is demonstrably wrong! A lot of people prefer to avoid potential conflict or contradiction and they don’t speak up for themselves. 

Yet, if you don’t say what you think – at least some of the time – others will think that you have nothing to offer or have no principles – or even lack intelligence. 

Interesting people express their opinions, even if they are sometimes unpopular. 

They are often successful people because they have as little fear of failure as they have in saying what they think. 

7 – Risk Losing Friends 

Friends are important. Life without them would be very dissatisfying. But they can also get in the way of your dreams. 

When you are pursuing your goals, you will often need to spend a lot of time by yourself. 

And friends can make it difficult for you to concentrate and remain focused. Some “friends” will even try to get you to give it all up because they are feeling left out. 

True friends will take your dreams seriously and understand that you need to take some time away from them. 

They will work on preserving their friendship with you, even if they don’t see you as often as they would like. 

8 – Risk Inadequacy 

Sometimes you will not be good enough. Sometimes you won’t have what it takes. 

But isn’t it better to find that out for yourself than having to ask yourself if, maybe, you could have become a great musician or a sports star? 

Sometimes you have the talent or skills, and sometimes you don’t. You might become obsessed with a certain “what if” your entire life. 

But if you knew you could have never made it, you won’t be haunted by useless regrets. 

You will never know unless you give it your best try and risk not being good enough. 

9 – Risk Being Turned Down For A Job 

You can’t always be the candidate with the best skills for an available position. 

There is a lot of highly qualified competition out there. And even if you ARE the best candidate for the job, you still might not get it. 

Such is life… But, if you don’t make the attempt and risk getting turned down, how do you ever expect to get your dream job? Most often persistence pays off. 

People who show how much they really want the position and seem to be a good fit for the team often impress hirers. 

Experience isn’t everything. Think about it this way. If you risk not getting the job, you might actually get it! 

10 – Risk Exposure And Being Judged 

No one truly likes to be criticized or negatively judged. Yet, all of us criticize others, and all of us are constantly being judged. 

People observe actions, things, and other people, and they form an opinion. It’s part of our human nature. 

Of course, some criticism can be useful. But the opinions of most people, however, are of no value – so just don’t let it bother you. 

11 – Risk Putting It All On The Line 

There may come a time when you have to risk everything in order to achieve success – and it can be very scary! 

If you are going to really roll the dice at some point in your life, it’s best to do it when you are relatively young and have time to bounce back. 

The greatest successes often demand the greatest risks. But make sure the risk is calculated. Know precisely what you are putting at risk and what the reward will be. 

12 – Risk Admitting That You Don’t Know 

If you don’t know something, you should not feel embarrassed. If that knowledge is important to you, learn it! In most cases, it won’t take much time at all. 

Discovering that there is something useful you don’t yet know, is a valuable opportunity to learn something new. 

Most knowledge is actually quite easy to acquire, but only if you ask questions and are willing to risk admitting what you don’t know.

13 – Taking Full Responsibility For Your Happiness 

Our happiness is a direct result of the decisions we make and the things we do. 

Don’t rely on others to make you happy – you will often be disappointed. 

Realize instead that your past and present conduct is your responsibility. 

That might sound harsh, but taking responsibility for your future actions should actually feel empowering. 

Your future happiness is in your hands! Yes, the words and actions of others can affect you. 

But the best way of getting control over your situation is to rely on your own judgment. 

So, stop blaming others, and stop waiting around for them. It won’t get you anywhere. Don’t surrender your power. Take responsibility! 

14 – Letting Go And Starting Anew 

At times, we try to hold onto something we no longer have or things we can’t control. 

We look back on past relationships or lost opportunities and constantly kick ourselves for our mistakes. The past is done. 

Yes, you can learn valuable lessons from it, but obsessing over it will just hold you back. So let it go. 

Accept the end of something in order to begin building something new. Essentially, you can look at life as a game – you have very little influence on its rules. 

Conclusion

Successful and happy people, however, take advantage of the rules, and they’re even willing to bend them. They take risks. 

Ultimately, the risk is an essential part of life. You take the chance of getting hit by a careless driver every time you walk down the street. 

When you decide to take your own risks, however, you are exercising control and power over your own life. 

Yes, it could go wrong, and failure can be very painful. But NOT taking a risk often turns out to be a huge mistake. 

Everyone can look back on their lives and regret the risks they did not take. After all, taking risks offers the greatest rewards in life! What do you think? What is the biggest risk you have taken in your life that REALLY paid off?