My daughter recently came home from school and announced: “I’m learning to be a risk taker Daddy”. My first thought was what kind of risks are we talking about? Then I considered that some of the best experiences in my life (both professional and personal) have come from taking a risk of some sort. Taking risks is essential to the progress of a business and it’s hard to move forward while applying the brakes.
Risky business
One of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson is famous for taking risks that pay off in the long run. One such risk led to him starting the world’s greatest travel empire. Every business and business owner has been confronted with an opportunity that requires a decision to take (or avoid) a risk.
Do you find that you are running your business with your foot on the brake peddle instead of the accelerator? I listened to an inspiring podcast this week that’s prompted me to encourage you to start that ‘thing’ today.
You know the ‘thing’ I’m talking about. It may be starting that digital marketing strategy you know your business needs. Perhaps you’ve been resisting putting your business out there on social media for fear of negative comments or feedback. What ever it is, chances are that a year from now you’ll wish you had started today.
So to further encourage you here’s a dozen famous quotes to help give you a nudge and hopefully inspire you to take that chance in the pursuit of progress:
In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. ~ Bill Cosby #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 25, 2014
Because if you take a risk, you just might find what you’re looking for. ~ Susane Colasanti #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 25, 2014
If you play it safe in life, you’ve decided that you don’t want to grow anymore. ~ Shirley M Hufstedler #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
Just because you’re scarred for life doesn’t mean you should be scared to live. ~ Brian Celio #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 25, 2014
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for. ~ William G.T. Shedd #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 24, 2014
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. ~ T. S. Eliot #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 24, 2014
If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. ~ Jim Rohn #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision. ~ Maimonides #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is. ~ Will Rogers #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
The greatest risk to man is not that he aims too high and misses, but that he aims too low and hits. ~ Michaelangelo #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. ~ Lao Tzu #quote — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
In case you’re still wondering whether to do it or not here are some wise words from Sir Richard Branson:
Screw it, Let’s do it! ~ Sir Richard Branson #quote https://t.co/C2dZudAWYb — Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) February 26, 2014
Conclusion
Deciding to take a risk in business is never easy. Yet it seems that the most successful businesses continue to do it. Progress isn’t just change, it’s change for the better. It’s hard to move forward while applying the brakes so in the best interests of your business it’s time to hit the ‘Go’ button. Have you been resisting an internet marketing strategy because it seems risky? What’s actually holding you back? If you don’t plant the seeds now there will never be growth.
Need someone to discuss your calculated risk with? Please feel free to leave a comment below, or CLICK HERE to contact me. If you have enjoyed this post please consider sharing it to help encourage your friends, followers and circles to start ‘that thing’ today. Thanks for reading and sharing. See you back here next week.
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Image credits [Doug Waldron, Wikimedia commons]
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