One of the most important aspects of living a healthy and prosperous life is understanding the concept of "risk." By this I mean knowing how to understand and analyze situations in life that affect our health and well-being. Being able to accurately weigh benefits and risks when making healthy decisions is very important. Too often decisions are based on incomplete or inaccurate information. This can lead to huge mistakes with with significant consequences!
Failure to accurately assess risk keeps people locked in all kinds of unhealthy situations including poor eating and exercise habits, lifestyle choices, relationships and jobs. Sometimes we're afraid to step out and make a change. Many of us view making a change as extremely "risky" when the REAL risk comes from doing the same thing over and over again. Living with the stress, unhappiness and frustration of indecision and poor health can be the greatest risk of all.
Assessing "risk" is nothing more than collecting information, weighing the alternatives and then making appropriate decisions based on the information.
Failure to accurately assess risk limits us in many ways. For example, we may imagine the "risk" of talking with our children about drugs, dating or sex as too high so we put off having the "talk," even though the risks of NOT talking are infinitely greater.
The goods news is that failure to accurately assess risk is reversible. We can effect positive change in our lives by following a few simple steps to accurately assess risk:
1. Accurately define your present situation and assess your identified "risks". What are the consequences if you DON'T change? Weigh the benefits of healthier living vs. the potential risks such as increased cost, inconvenience or discomfort.
2. What do you stand to gain if you change your present circumstances? Assess the "up-side" potential. Too often we look only at the "downside" risk and forget the benefits. What good things might happen if you take the risk and win?
3. Limit the "down-side" if you happen to make a wrong decision. Don't continue down a path if it does not produce results. Clear, concise, realistic objectives will definitely help in your planning.
4. Reduce your risk by being willing to seek outside help. Understand the situation and seek the advice of experts in the field you are concerned about. This includes finding and forming partnerships to receive support and get good advice.
5. Have a fall-back position. If the decision you make fails to produce the desired results, be prepared to take a long, hard look at the circumstances and be prepared to change what you are doing.
Everything in life involves some element of risk. Driving your car, meeting someone new, crossing the street...but we do these things every day. Winners in life are willing to accept reasonable risks. Get involved and be smart about how you play the game. Be prepared for a few failures along the way, but don't quit. Failure is not in making mistakes ---it's in not getting up and continuing on. In living a healthier, more fulfilled life, we need to remember the words of Winston Churchill when he said, "Never, never, never give up!"
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