Successful leadership requires that you take some type of action resulting in a certain level of improvement. Therefore, you must take calculated risks in order to reach your destiny. Staying within your comfort zone means that you will never grow to your full potential. You must prepare for and then execute the proper actions that increase your chances for long-term success.
Success is not certain and you cannot wait for it to fall into your lap; you have to pursue it to the best of your ability. Responsible leaders take calculated risks in order to drive things toward success while maintaining accountability for their actions, regardless of the outcome. Since no one can make perfect decisions in every situation, it’s important to become comfortable with uncertainty. Uncertainty and calculated risk go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other.
Here are some examples of Calculated Risks young adults should consider instead of living in complacency:
- Earning an undergraduate degree or some type of in demand certification vs deciding that the high school diploma is the only credential needed for the rest of your life.
- Studying a college major that is both demanding and in demand vs pursuing a major that is specifically associated with a saturated career field.
- Performing well-researched, long-term investing vs randomly purchasing stocks due to their popularity or due to the fact that stocks can be purchased quickly by using an app.
- Purchasing life insurance; health insurance; homeowners insurance; car insurance; accumulating an emergency fund, etc. vs frivolously spending all your earnings and living life without any financial protection.
- Owning some type of home vs renting, leasing or living in government-assisted housing for your entire life.
- Doing your job well then asking for a promotion (including a pay raise) vs goofing off at work and then failing to advance.
- Packing and then relocating after your thorough research indicates that moving to a new city, state or country has a high potential for greater income and advancement vs staying put because you are afraid to leave a low-paying, unfulfilling job.
Young adults ages 17-25 have the capacity, energy and potential to be successful. You do not necessarily need to earn a college degree; you just need to commit to working hard, take calculated risks focused on successful outcomes, and then finish whatever you said you were going to do. Your success will look different from your friends so there is no need for useless competition. Be your own success story and then help others reach their goals.
You must master calculated risk taking in order to become successful. Start small and then use those experiences as a foundation for taking on more significant calculated risks. Yes, you will encounter obstacles, make mistakes and experience some failures, but you can persevere and then use those lessons to improve your performance going forward.
Final thought…Do not necessarily equate success with money. That’s because a person can be born into wealth (for example, the children of professional athletes, celebrities and royal families), win a large sum of money playing the lottery or acquire money via criminal activities, but the only way to truly achieve success is to earn it. Regardless of where you start, you can always take calculated risks that progress you toward success.
In closing…Be determined, but not irresponsible and know that Overton Leadership Associates is on your side. Now, let’s get it done!
Herb