How Taking Risks Can Help You Grow | Catherine Mattiske

Apr 17 / Catherine Mattiske

Why do we take risks? Is it because we're daredevils, or is there more to it than that? It turns out that taking risks can actually be beneficial for our professional and personal growth. In fact, taking risks can help us develop a growth mindset and supercharge our learning. Here's how.

Why is it Important to Take Risks?

At its core, risk-taking is about embracing uncertainty and seeking new opportunities. Whether making a career move or trying out a new hobby, risk-taking allows you to learn and connect with others uniquely, allowing you to communicate more effectively and influence those around you. Indeed, we live in a world that is constantly changing and evolving. Hence, learning about new concepts and ideas is essential for staying relevant and thriving in our ever-evolving society. So if you want to be at the forefront of innovation, cultivate your willingness to take risks and embrace uncertainty with open arms. The rewards will be well worth it!

Meet Sondra – From Risk-Taker to Growth Hacker

Sondra has always been a risk-taker. Whether personally or professionally, she was always looking for new opportunities to challenge herself and grow. This mindset has served her well, helping her achieve remarkably personally and professionally.
Recently, Sondra decided to take things one step further and began actively developing her growth mindset. She took her Inner Genius Profile and discovered that her Inner Genius Archetype was The Explorer. This made perfect sense – she is active, collaborative, a doer, and always looking for new opportunities. So, she read the Inner Genius articles, listened to podcasts, and attended workshops on becoming even more open-minded and expanding her horizons. As a result of this effort, she has become more well-rounded and can now see the world differently.
What Sondra learned was invaluable. When it comes to taking risks, growth hackers are willing to take whatever they can get their hands on. They're always looking for new opportunities and ways to gain an edge. This means that they're willing to try out new things, even if there's a chance that they might fail. This is what she embraced.
But there was an unexpected twist! Sondra didn't realize that by developing her growth mindset, she was also helping others achieve their goals. Her colleagues have started coming to her with new ideas and asking for help with projects they wouldn't have dared approach her with before. In addition, her friends have been drawn closer to her as they've seen her outlook on life change.
Sondra is happy that she took the risk of developing her growth mindset and is grateful for all the wonderful things it has brought into her life

Risk-Taking Helps Us Develop a Growth Mindset

One of the most significant benefits of taking risks is that it helps us develop a growth mindset. 

A growth mindset is a belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. This belief leads to a love of learning and a willingness to embrace challenges.

People with a growth mindset see setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow. They view mistakes as part of the learning process. On the other hand, people with a fixed mindset believe their abilities and intelligence are set in stone. As a result, they're afraid of making mistakes and often give up when faced with difficulties.

Unleash growth mindset

10 Tips to Embrace Your Inner Genius and Take Risks

Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to taking risks. However, here are a few general tips that may help you feel more comfortable taking risks in your life and strengthen your Growth Mindset. This is a key to unlocking your Inner Genius:

1. Start Small

If you're not used to taking risks, it can be helpful to start with smaller ones first. This way, you can get a feel for taking a risk and seeing how it affects your life.

2. Consider the consequences

Before you take any risks, it's essential to consider what could happen if things don't go as planned. What are the potential downside risks? How would you handle them?

3. Have a Plan

Once you've decided to take a risk, it's crucial to have a plan. What steps do you need to take to ensure the risk is successful? What will you do if things don't go as planned?

4. Plan for the best & be prepared for the worst

It's important to remember that taking risks can sometimes lead to negative consequences. So be prepared for the possibility that things may not go as you hoped and have the plan to deal with any potential problems.

5. don't be afraid to ask for help

If you feel unsure about taking a particular risk, don't hesitate to ask for advice from someone you trust. Sometimes, it can be helpful to get a second opinion before making any decisions.

6. Trust your Instincts

Ultimately, you need to make the decision about whether or not to take a risk. If your gut tells you not to do something, it's probably best to listen to it.

7. Be Willing to Accept the Consequences

Once you've decided to take a risk, you must be prepared to accept the consequences, good or bad. This includes being willing to learn from your mistakes and move on if things don't go as planned.

8. Have fun

Taking risks can be scary, but it can also be exciting. Remember to enjoy the process and don't take yourself too seriously.

9. Be Persistent

If you're unsuccessful the first time you try something new, don't give up. It may take a few attempts before you find success.

10. BE Patient

Getting comfortable with taking risks takes time. Don't expect to become an expert overnight. Give yourself time to adjust, and don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go as planned.

Unlock learning speed

Risk-Taking Supercharges Learning

In addition to helping us develop a growth mindset, taking risks also supercharges our learning. We're forced to step outside of our comfort zones when we take risks. This allows us to learn new things and stretch our capabilities. Additionally, taking risks allows us to practice problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Of course, not all risks are created equal. Some risks are simply too risky to take. However, calculated risks that are well thought out can help us grow in ways we never thought possible. So next time you're faced with a challenge, don't be afraid to take a risk—you may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

Conclusion

Taking risks can be scary, but it's important to remember that not all risks are created equal. Some risks are worth taking because they help us develop a growth mindset and supercharge our learning. Risk-taking can lead to new experiences, knowledge, and growth. It's an opportunity to learn about ourselves and our capabilities. And even if things don't always go according to plan, that's okay - it's all part of the adventure. So next time you're faced with a challenge, don't be afraid to take a chance—you may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

About Catherine

About Catherine mattiske

Catherine Mattiske, best known for creating ID9 Intelligent Design and the Genius Quotient (GQ), is a leading light in the corporate learning and team-building industries. She regularly works with large and small organizations to help team members better understand one another while effectively collaborating and boosting individual and team morale and productivity in the workplace.

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