risk – Workplace Resilience

Potential Risks

We were on our way back from a 40-mile bike ride when we heard people talking up ahead on the trail. As I peered off into the distance, I saw 5 people sitting in the grass, their bikes strewn about at the top of the hill. They had just accomplished a ride up the fairly steep elevation. It obviously had taken a lot of energy for the crew, since they had decided to take some time out to catch their breath. From our vantage point, we couldn’t see anything but the 5 people and the top of the hill.

My husband yelled to me, “I wonder if there’s anyone else coming up the hill?” I didn’t say anything, and then I heard him yell to the group and ask if there were anymore still making their way up the hill. They replied with a no and began to get back on their bikes.

As we rode down the hill, I thought about what had just transpired. It would have never occurred to me to think about whether there was anyone else coming up the hill. It just wouldn’t have been of concern to me. Nor would I have even followed my thought up with a question directed at the crew. It just wasn’t important.

However, this was very important to him. I assume he was thinking about sharing the trail as he flies down the hill, going 30 miles an hour. I also assume that he was being cautious and safe.

The whole potential danger would have never crossed my mind. I just assumed that no matter what was coming at me as I flew down the hill, I could control my bike and maneuver around the obstacle safely.

If we’re riding and we get off course, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Eventually, we will figure out where we are and find our way back to our path. It always works out. In fact, sometimes the alternative journey that we end up taking when we’ve lost our way turns out far better than our original planned itinerary.

Our perspectives in life can be explained in the experience that I just shared with you. He is always looking ahead, gauging the dangers and obstacles in his way and looking for the best, safest path to get to his end goal. In contrast, I’m just riding toward my goals in life, assuming that when something happens, I will have confidence to deal with it in the best possible way. If I get off course and lose my way, I trust that eventually, I will figure it out. I’m always certain that it will work out just fine.

I’m not saying that one way of thinking in your personal and professional life is far better than another. What I am saying is that it’s good to think about WHERE you fall on this continuum. There are a lot of uncertainties and disappointments as you make your way down the mountain of life— eventually you will hit a huge pothole and it will get you off track.

This will occur no matter how diligent you are at assessing potential risks. Eventually, something will happen.

Having a combination of the two approaches to life is really your best bet. Be as proactive as you can, assess the possible dangers and risks, but beyond that, try to just live life and chase your goals.

And make sure you have the skills of RESILIENCE to weather the storm.

Dream Snatcher

I was terrified when I contemplated going back to school to complete my Masters degree. To be truthful, I wasn’t a terrific student, although I had always excelled in the workplace. My fears about school were so strong that every now and then, the subject turned up in my nightmares. Usually, I was running to get to my class and would realize that I had not studied for the final. (Which, of course, was happening right at that moment.) In the nightmare, I could feel the anxiety coursing through my body as I asked myself why I hadn’t attended the classes or prepared appropriately for the exam. This scenario played itself out over and over— whenever I was feeling anxious in my life.

Yes, I had fears about school and succeeding. So, when I made the decision to go back to school, you can imagine what an obstacle that represented to me. I began to tell people my plan, with the hope that every time I shared my news, I would become a little more self-confident about the path I had chosen. This was my dream and the only thing that was stopping me from going after it was my fear.

As you know, every time you share your life plans with someone, you run the risk of receiving a negative reaction. I remember vividly sharing the news with a good friend who reacted in a way that I couldn’t have expected. As I excitedly laid out my plans for the future, she questioned my decision.

“Why would you do that? How can you possibly be successful when you still have two kids at home? That’s not going to work”.

This cut straight to my heart. I needed a friend that supported and encouraged me to move forward. I didn’t need help with feeling any more vulnerable or unsure about my decision. I was more than capable of handling that one.

This person was a DREAM SNATCHER.

You know the type. They could be loving members of your family or long-time friends. The bottom line is that they discourage you from wanting more and believing that you are entitled to receive more. They go out of their way to share all the reasons why your decision is a bad idea and it’s not going to work.

But why do they do this? There are many possible reasons but these two are the most common.

They don’t want you to get hurt.

It’s possible that they have lived their own life following the rules and doing what’s safe. They love you and they can’t bear to see you get hurt, stumble or take the wrong path. Therefore, they will convince you to keep things predictable. They will encourage you to stay where you’re familiar and comfortable. Their pain while watching you risk this fall is so great that they feel compelled to convince you to stay “status quo”. They just can’t take the risk of having to see you struggle.

Your plans make them feel vulnerable and insecure.

Nothing is more threatening to the Dream Snatcher than watching others move forward and go after their dreams. The Dream Snatcher doesn’t have the courage to take this leap; therefore, they feel relieved if they can discourage you from taking it. Your ability to move forward is uncomfortable for them— they might have to face some decisions in their own life. When my friend asked me how I could go back to school, she really was talking about herself. This was really about her, not me.

There will always be plenty of people in life who want to give you reasons why your dream is NOT valid. Dream snatchers are everywhere and they’re more than happy to go into detail as to why your dream will fail. Be sure to surround yourself with individuals that encourage, empower and support your efforts to go after your dreams and live life to the fullest.

Coach dreams empower friendships happiness relationships risk success

Risky Business

At 4:00 AM, I woke up to the sound of heavy rain hitting the roof. It was a raging downpour. I sat up for a moment and said to my husband, “It’s raining hard.” The alarm was set to go off at 4:30 so we could make it downtown for Ride Cincinnati—

a bike ride to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. We had plans to ride 63 miles, but didn’t want to ride in the rain.

The next time that I woke up was 7:00 AM. I couldn’t figure out how I had slept in. I discovered that my husband had turned off the alarm when he heard me say that it was raining. He had assumed that it would rain all morning and he didn’t want to take a chance in the ride. I was willing to take that risk, but it was too late for that.

Disappointed in the turn of events, I suggested that we go out for our own ride. I checked the weather for the morning and the forecast predicted that there was a 0% chance of rain, continuing into the afternoon. When we left the house, the sun was actually out. That didn’t last long as we biked further and further out. I trusted the forecast, so we continued on our ride until I began to feel the sprinkles on my helmet. “It will pass,” I said, trying to convince myself. It didn’t pass— the sprinkles turned into a steady rain.

At first, it really didn’t bother me until the steady rain turned into a much heavier, cold rain. We stopped under a bridge and waited, hoping that the rain would let up. It didn’t. Finally, we decided to just ride the two miles to the restaurant and eat lunch. As soon as we got there, the rain stopped and the sun came out. With my clothes dried and my stomach full, I felt much, much better.

The moment we got on our bikes after lunch, the sun went in. We were 10 minutes into our ride back home when it began to rain again. Yes, even with a 0% chance, the rain became steady, miserable and cold. I was unhappy, soaked to the skin and freezing cold. And then it happened.

My husband asked me to look at his tire because it felt “strange” to him. I said that I was sure it was nothing— wishful thinking. He stopped and assessed his bike tire, which was flat. On cue, the sky opened up with a torrential downpour. I accepted the fact that there was nowhere to take cover on the bike trail. There I was, trying to read him instructions on my phone while attempting to keep the device dry in the pouring-down rain. My hands were numb from the cold and my clothing was soaked. Fun was not being had by either one of us.

Now, here’s the irony of the whole situation: I found out that it never rained during the morning event. If we had taken part in this, we would have enjoyed beautiful weather. However, we made our decision because we didn’t want to take the risk.

Risk. Everyday, you make decisions while weighing your risks buy generic propecia. Often, this measure of risk holds you back from experiences that you would enjoy and benefit from in life. Sometimes, the risk appears much bigger in your head than it is in reality.

I’m not saying to ignore the risk, but be sure to take some chances. Don’t allow yourself to miss out on life.

career Change Coach executive coaching life risk success transitions