Getting Risky

I really wish I was blogging more, but this full-time-job-business is just like it sounds. It takes most of your time. I do enjoy the paycheck, but sometimes I still wish for the days where I had oodles of free time. On the other hand, this is probably the best full-time job I have ever had. It isn't too hard or stressful and the pay is decent. So I really can't complain.

Last night I was reading Thinking Fast and Slow, (Yes I am STILL reading it. Work takes away from more than just blogging.) and I learned that most people weigh losses much more than gains. In other words, people will try much harder to avoid risk than to gain something. You may think this is a good thing because who wants to risk their health, life, or regret on something that could have been avoided? But the author suggests that it is more beneficial to balance risks with playing it safe. Yes, there is the chance you will regret your choice, but if the odds are in your favor, you should probably go for it. Otherwise, nothing will ever be gained.

The author calls avoiding risks the precautionary principle and he says,"when interpreted strictly, it can be paralyzing." He then goes on to list some things that would have never been invented if the precautionary principle was followed - airplanes, air conditioning, antibiotics, automobiles, chlorine, the measles vaccine, open-heart surgery, radio, refrigeration, smallpox vaccine, and X-rays. I think we can all agree these are some pretty great things that we wouldn't have if people had been "too careful".

The author says that being loss adverse is embedded in our subconscious. But I think there is hope for more people taking calculated risks because of all the wonderful inventions I just listed. You can overcome your avoidance of risk by remembering there is risk in every decision, and there will be always be some losses and some wins. It is how you look at these consequences that makes it easier to take risks. When you feel regret about a bad decision, just remember - without some risky behavior, little is accomplished.

I am probably the worst person to be giving advice about taking risks. I am as afraid of making a wrong choice as anyone. But if I can work on taking more risks, so can you. So get out there and get risky!