Why We Should Take Risks
CHANCES are you may be one of many school leavers who are considering the right programme to take for your studies. Some of you may even be one of many graduates who are searching for the right job to start off your career.
As you ponder your next step in life, do consider taking risks. It doesn’t just apply to those who aren’t afraid to take on extreme activities like mountaineering, those who put their lives on the line for a living such as a police officer or those who dare to travel to some of the most dangerous countries in the world.
In fact, risk-taking involves seizing opportunities that can make a difference in our way of thinking and perception. As exemplified by the likes of Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey and Tony Fernandes, no dreams can be achieved when we stay in our comfort zone.
There are people who prefer to remain safe and secure, thinking that risks are inconvenient and time- consuming, when in truth it will only hurt them in the long run because they’re unable to reach to potentials they never knew they have in them.
As such, taking risks opens you up to new challenges, which allows you to learn new skills, pushes you to be more creative, boosts your self- confidence and resilience, and teaches you more about yourself.
Most importantly, the more risks you take, the greater your chances of overcoming your fear of failure. Mistakes are bound to happen when taking risks, but the experiences you gain and learn out of them will only make you a better person because you are ready to take on opportunities without hesitation.
So what can you do to take risks? You can start small by accepting new opportunities, such as trying out a new sport, travelling to a new place or trying out any kind of activities you have never experienced before. Some of them might be too daunting, so you can take them on bit by bit.
Once you have accumulated your successes and failures, go for something bigger. Keep in mind that the risk you’re taking has to be calculated, i.e. the decision is made after carefully considering the rationale and potential benefits.
Regardless of the choices you make as a school leaver or a university graduate, know that no risk guarantees success, so trust your instinct and take a leap into the unknown. After all, you’ll never know until you try.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.