What’s the latest ‘risk’ that you’ve taken?

Have you ever heard the phrase or comment, Risk versus Reward?

Sometimes, to see the greatest “reward”, you may have to take the greatest “risks.”

Management consultant and educator, Peter Drucker, stated, “There are some risks that you cannot afford to take... and there are some risks that you can’t afford NOT to take.”

It’s easy to take a risk when there is not much “on the line.” When the loss would be minimal. It is a completely different thing to take risks when the stakes are high.

Entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, was born into a poor, farming family in Idaho. As a young businessman, he became a millionaire by the time he was 30 years old. By the time he was 33, his business had failed, and he was broke. However, he was asked one day to speak to a local Rotary Club during a business luncheon and he accepted. Within a few years, he was speaking across the country and even internationally, teaching and mentoring others on business strategies and fundamentals. Soon, he became a millionaire once again.

Mr. Rohn was quoted, “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”

He included simple practices such as: Be willing to try new things, visit new places, eat different foods and consider unlikely ideas; You only learn through doing; By being friendly with risk you will discover beauty, joy, and the unpredictable passion of life.

He also included common sense practicality of: Taking risks does not mean being foolish and not using common sense; Calculated risks are much more likely to be successful; Do not cause harm to yourself or to others by being irresponsible, doing something illegal, or taking dangerous actions.

What’s the latest “risk” that you have taken? Was it calculated and well thought out? Did you find yourself all alone on that path? In the words of Dr. Phil, “How’d that work out for you?”

Remember, there is always strength in numbers... And we are ALL IN this TOGETHER!!! #WeAreNavasota GO RATTLERS!!!

Dr. Stu Musick is the Superintendent of Schools for Navasota Independent School District.