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Risks Your Personal Coach Would Say You Should Take

Cecile Peterkin -- "No risk, no reward." A career coach explains why some risks are worth taking when it comes to life, job searches, and career success.

We all know that risks are a part of life. When you go to college, there’s a risk that you will fail and will not be able to graduate. And when you get a job, there’s a risk of your company closing down, which will leave you jobless. While it is true that life is all about risks, some risks are worth taking, and some are not.

If you want to be successful in life, make sure you don’t shy away from these risks:

1. Putting all eggs in one basket.

You’ve just graduated, you’re young, and you’re ambitious. Most importantly, you have your entire life ahead of you. If you’re not going to take the risk and put everything on the line right now, when are you going to? Is there really the perfect time for this? What you should be more concerned about is losing everything because you are too afraid to take the risk.

2. Making a mistake.

Not one successful person did not make a mistake. You need to make mistakes in order to learn what things can hurt your career. If you feel so comfortable and safe already, it could mean that you’re not trying harder, and this will have a significant effect on your learning and growth as an individual. So go out there, be willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

3. Failing.

It can be hard to imagine, but failing is one of the best things that can happen to you and your career. It’s actually just a matter of perspective. When you fail, don’t think of it as your inability to be successful in life. Instead, consider it a golden opportunity for you to discover another path to success.

4. Getting rejected.

Whenever you have something to ask from someone, there is always a possibility of you getting turned down. But does it mean you should not even try to ask? Even if you think that there is no chance that you will be given the favor you’re asking, you will never really know unless you try. And if you end up getting rejected, move on and find other means of getting what you need.

5. Losing your job to try and get something better.

If you’ve found a job that you really love and enjoy, would you be willing to leave it behind to satisfy your desire to travel the world? Perhaps not. While it seems to be the right decision to make, not risking your current job could mean risking not living your life to the fullest. There is a right balance to everything, and you should just look for it. And if you’re still struggling to reconcile the thought of giving up something to gain something better, consulting a personal coach will definitely do you good.

Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Center, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.

© 2015 Cecile Peterkin

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