Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Olivia Ryt | YouTube & Writer

For me, risk is when there is an opportunity and the outcome is unknown. I see risks as an essential aspect of making decisions. Parts of my life where risk-taking made an enormous impact, were deciding if I wanted to continue with my education, which brings the follow-up question of where, but an even equivalent risk was starting my YouTube channel, three years ago. Read more>>

ROBERT MORGAN | Cyber security and Software Engineer

I view risk as a necessary evil in life. Without some form of risk we will never understand how far we can go in life our what our potential level is. One of the biggest risks I took in my own life was packing up and selling everything I own then joining the Navy because of the lack of progress in my own career while I was in the Midwest. Read more>>

Santhi Castle | Owner & Master Instructor of Encinitas Karate

There is something to be said for the amount of risk one must take when they decide to open their own business. I believe that risk taking begins when we decide that we want a change not only in our careers, but in our daily lives as well. If we don’t take a risk and push for personal/professional success, there’s a chance that we can remain stagnant in our lives, leading to a lot of regret. Read more>>

Nicole Figueroa | Personal Coach

Risk; “ a situation involving exposure to danger” That’s what we’re taught, right? That any kind of risk you take, you could be exposed to danger. But for me, risk is all about growth. Whether it’s a learning situation or a next step up in your story. Read more>>